PHOTOGRAPHS
by MIchael R. Clem
I’m taking pictures of myself
Perhaps it’s just a cry for help
I’ll put my pic online
with hopes that you’ll all find
I’m worthy of a mantle shelf
But heavens, there’s my nose
They say with age it grows
but I have learned some tricks
with Photoshop I’ll fix
& airbrush with a firehose
I want the joy from other’s photographs
Where all you see are smiles & laughs
there’s no swine only pearls
in this 2-D world
the joy from other’s photographs
Photographs
Photographs
Is it really such a sin
that I hide all my chins?
I don’t think it’s a lie
to hold my camera high
and have you all believe I’m thin
& with other tools I’ll play
to make wrinkles go away
I’ll whiten up my tooth
I’m such a swan of youth
“You’re so beautiful” is what they’ll say
I want the joy from other’s photographs
Where all you see are smiles & laughs
Where all seem so serene
on my little screen
the joy from other’s photographs
Photographs
Photographs
Everyone’s in Europe – sunning on the beach
striking yoga poses there and mountain peaks
making human pyramids and grinning through it all
I put a heart on their post, but I really wish they’d fall
in their photographs…photographs…photographs
I’m taking pictures of myself
not a sign of mental health
but Likes are what I need
on my social feed
So how about a little help?
I want the joy from other’s photographs
Where all you see are smiles & laughs
I would not feel bereft
where there is no depth
the joy from other’s photographs
Photographs
Photographs
Photographs
copyright 2026 J Fish Music