It irks me that I cannot take a good photograph of my grandmother. The problem is, I am afraid to. I cannot explain myself to her. I cannot explain why I want to take a photograph of her. She expresses such a negative image of herself. I do not know how to argue with her. Even if she could hear, would she listen?

My mother knows I love to photograph her because I love her.

I think she is beautiful.

My daughter knows I love to photograph her because I love her.

I think she is beautiful.

My grandmother asked if I could please photograph the clay pots she made all those many years ago.

Their beauty is cold and unchanging. They are easy to photograph.

They do not move. They do not look at me askance.