Frame Us

Frame us.
From head to toe.
As if together,
Forever to claim...
We will remain,
The same unchanged.
With a must smile worn.
Adorned to stay permanently fixed.
Upon our faces.
Without a hint of frowns.
To erase away.
What appears that way.
Done to leave this to impress.
From Sunrise to Sundown,
Every moment of each day.

Yet...
Immediately,
When the cameras come...
Exposing teeth cheesing.
And a posing of togetherness has ended.
The beginning of moods and attitudes begin.
Leaving the hired photographers,
To return and ask...
What happened to the people,
Posing together as if stuck like glue.

'Excuse me, folks?
One photographer approached to ask.
'There is a picture I would like to redo.
But...
What happened to those adorable people?
The ones I'd like to use,
As a reflection and example to value...
America as is and always to be.'

'Oh?
There they are.
The ones arguing and throwing punches.
They thought you were done.
Go over there.
And bring your camera.
Do that before the police come.
Then let them know,
You would like to take....
Another picture of them.'

'Uh...
But,
What happened to the other people.
The ones with smiles.
And inviting grins?'

'That's them.
The same people.
Just show your camera.
And the fighting between them,
Will end to expose...
Their teeth cheering again.
Or...
As a suggestion,
Take a picture of them fighting each other.
You know...
As a before and after.'

'Before and after what?'

'Before they knew,
What it was you wanted to do.
And...
After they began to argue,
As to who should have taken...
A separate picture to represent,
An image much better.
That reflects the wholesomeness,
Of the entire family!'

'That makes no sense at all.'

'What you want to do?
Or a true reflection,
Of what America has become to be?!'

'Geeessshhh.
Decisions.'

'Don't take too long.
I hear the police coming.
Hey...
I have an idea.
Take a picture of me.
Attempting to break up the fight.
And when the police arrive,
Take a picture of us all smiling!
As a perfect representation of America.'

'I love it.
And...
Believe this or not,
I have a flag in my truck.'

'Perfect.
I'll kneel and drape the flag,
Around my shoulders.
And display a peace sign with my fingers!'

'Are you a member of the family?'

'No.
I am blessed to receive publicity.
Free!
Come on.
Quick.
Let's do this!
And be sure to frame 'me' the peace maker!'

'What?'

'I'll direct.
Just follow my lead.'