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In Atget photos some people dissolve in long exposures.
A white blur tells me someone was there, someone moved and disappeared.
But under my magnifying glass I can make out a wisp of girl,
dress like a crumpled flower, a face in the hedge, a dog at loving attention.

If you liked this, see. . .

• “White Words,” by Frederic Prokosch, Winter 1931
• “White Birches in Autumn,” by Lizette Woodworth Reese, Autumn 1931
• “Black Billy Waters, at His Pitch,” by Rita Dove, Spring 2009
• “Toutes Les Lumieres,” by John Engels, Autumn 1976
• “Dickinson,” by Martha Collins, Autumn 1984