my photo album is a graveyard

full of memories of the dead 

there, they still smile and laugh

and are loved and love

cherishing their photos, wishing for more

parents and their parents smiling

the weddings of my ancestors

pictures of their graves with sweet words

my mother would take  me to the cemetery

where I would meet those who passed 

many times before I was born

like the man whose name I carry

I no longer go there bringing flowers

instead, I sit in front of my computer

staring at the increasing number of faces

of those that have died

it is facebook that tells me of a passing

I can write a comment or leave a virtual tear

perhaps some photos  will be shared

then I add them to my photo album

facebook shares their memories

when I go, it will do the same with mine

perhaps we will continue to communicate this way

for all of eternity, even after we die