FebulousFebruary 2026: The Old Photograph

Out of focus

It’s an old photo—early noughties maybe.

She’s half‑hidden at the back of a group,

so when they crop her out and blow her up

she turns grainy, ghost-soft.

Still, she’s smiling.

She looks happy.

But now—

Missing since last Saturday.

Concerns for her Safety.

Her name on posters,

her face the same one from that night

A whole life reduced to an old photo,

the last time the world caught her in focus. 

Invisible since.

Naomi Smith, Whitstable