What You See

Uncategorized 1 Minute

you see
the wrinkled face,
old fashioned clothes and hair,
clean, but shabby; pressed, but poor
you think
you know
this story, but you know nothing –
sacrifice, courage, love
where you can’t see –
beneath

A photograph of my great-grandparents with my Grandmother in a white dress, her sister and brothers around her.

Copyright ©2026 Lisa Paul. All rights reserved.

Marion’s prompt: Beneath the surface

With spring flowers pushing up along the verges, it’s easy to forget how long they lay buried in darkness as bulbs. That contrast draws my attention to what remains unseen—what lies beneath, whether in the soil or within ourselves.

For this prompt, I invite you to explore the theme: Beneath the Surface.

Write in any form, but keep your poem to 20 lines or fewer.

W3 Prompt #205: Wea’ve Written Weekly
Unknown's avatar

Published by lisaapaul

I’m a paralegal, a widow, mother and grandmother.

Published

33 thoughts on “What You See”

  7. This is such a lovely response, Lisa. So much hidden beneath the exterior that we could never tell just by looking. And you’re right – we do judge don’t we? Your great grandmother hides her story well. Thank you for sharing the photo as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment