Up on top my mantle
In an old metal frame
There sits a picture
That’s worn with age

Inside the photograph
A crowd is present, standing
All unfamiliar faces transfixed
On the little girl in the fancy dress

They keep distance from her
As if she were to get up
From leaning against the wall
And start to dance around

A closer look reveals the dark truth
All the faces looking with teary eyes
And suddenly your pulse races
Your eyes concentrate on her

On that little girl in the fancy dress
Her eyes closed to the world
Those eyes that will never open again
And your heart sinks to your stomach

Life is short
Time is longer
A photo is worth
One thousand words