on a burro in san diego

together,
in the picture they look
like
anyone.

smiling. he in his hat,
circa
1950

she in a dress
with black framed glasses
sitting on a burro
in san diego.

they could be movie
stars.

they could be anyone
you might meet on the street,

on a bus,
in a subway car.

but it's your parents
in this black and white
snap shot.

before time
began for you. I see where
my mother

has scallop
the edges with a pair
of scissors.

always trying to make things
right,
or at least better,
when they weren't.