It was taken some time ago.

At first it seems to be

a smeared

print: blurred lines and grey flecks

blended with the paper;　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　5

then, as you scan

it, you see in the left-hand corner

a thing that is like a branch: part of a tree

(balsam or spruce) emerging

and, to the right, halfway up　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　10

what ought to be a gentle

slope, a small frame house.

In the background there is a lake,

and beyond that, some low hills.

(The photograph was taken　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　15

the day after I drowned.

I am in the lake, in the center

of the picture, just under the surface.

It is difficult to say where

precisely, or to say　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　20

how large or small I am:

the effect of water

on light is a distortion

but if you look long enough,

Eventually　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　25

you will be able to see me.)