picture hanging

you see them carrying
in a large picture
in a frame
from their car.
they go into their house
and close the door.
you can hear
them.
the young couple with
the baby.
he with a hammer
you imagine,
her holding the child.
standing back, or
perhaps measuring
the wall.
height and distance,
centering the spot
before he strikes
the nail.
you hear the hammer
strike.
again, then again.
once more. then stop.
ten minutes later,
they try again.
and later once more
on a different wall.
when you see them later,
she's staring out
a window of the car,
the baby in the back seat.
his hands grip the wheel
as they drive way
in silence.