who's that face
smiling up from the album?
I've not seen in such a long long time
how did the change occur?
better yet why?
or was that toothy grin always an illusion?

he looks so happy
by all accounts was
at Christmases and birthday parties
delighted surprise wonderfully preserved
that very instant
the wrapping paper torn open

but as pages are turned
from baby to toddler
then prepubescent to adolescence
the smile grows smaller
in some photos even forced
'till all remains is a token gesture

now when friends ask how he is
I shrug and reply "don't know"
the son I knew and yearn for
disappeared at age thirteen