A Snapshot of Time

Look at this snapshot, how his eyes twinkle,
Grandfather, the great patriarch seated
Like a king at the family table, with his
Crown prince and younger sons,
The prodigies and the prodigal one.
His progeny.
His protégés all.
Behind him,
An oval choir
A bevy of belles, clutching
Bashful unpleated edges of candy striped
Or floral cotton saris.
Lightly draped over their foreheads, mark
Of respect to the father-in-law.
Hair parted by a slender column
Of vermilion powder, the nod to
Patriarchal property lines.
Sindoor, of a married
Woman, revealing status of
Non availability
Now forever advertised, black
In a black and white photo.
Sweet and ripe the unveiling
Of time.