Snaps

She comes with camera
And a sensible view of things
And every pure intention
Under the sun.

To help us, from far away,
And we're very grateful.

And we love her.

But at the grave side
And as I carry the tiny coffin
In my arms
She snaps on the digital camera
As if capturing images
For a school project.

"So the children can see what happened".

Pictures of me, of us,
In a private moment.

Even though, through gritted teeth
And tears
I asked not to.

There is a time to take snaps,
And a time to refrain -
A time for everything under heaven.

And a time to leave alone,
Unphotographed,
My heaving body,
Bent over,
As my daughter is lowered

Into the ground.