laughter unfastened

overcast and grey
weather for thinking
whether to think or brood
i had been looking lost and tired
top corner dusty edge
color images outlined in black.
i had been staring and wondering
how long ago was it
that i understood how to smile like that
head back open throat eyes shut
laughter unfastened
an object in motion
will stay in motion
until someone breaks her heart
trying to capture the moment.
in freeze frame
now not even remembering
how it began
or the basis for laughter.
who had thought
to steal the moment through the lens
so I was stuck fast
tangled in the sunlight forever.
other pictures gathered on these walls
exist only as stage productions
forced smiles learned over time.
we make pretty pictures happen
same teeth
same eyes
same frames
immune to feeling
discerning happiness through frozen limbs
is an undertaking
except that top corner shot
from days burned out in summer heat.
take me back under undisturbed
can one force the body to laugh that way again,
or must it always impatiently wait to be still?
anticipating the perfect moment
to free itself from false motion.
staring once more out the window
into deserted dark streets.
staring and wondering
while the sun breaks free from the clouds
to finally be trapped in the sky