Photograph of a Boy

I wish I could figure out what photograph she's writing about, but honestly, I don't know.  I thought it might be one of me, but then it wouldn't exactly be "nameless," would it?

He’s sitting on a bed, clad only in a diaper, this nameless child in the photograph.

He stares straight into the camera, as if he is looking directly at the viewer.

His expression puts the Mona Lisa shame.

I have never been a partisan of the Mona Lisa.

The famous eyes, which are said to follow you wherever you go,

always seemed sly to me.

Also, her famous smile is too interior,

As if she’s contemplating a secret jest, perhaps at the viewer’s expense.
This child, however, looks at you directly,

And requires that you do the same to him.

The child is not overtly smiling, but his lips are curved slightly upwards,

As if he is about to break into a joyous smile.

And his lips are slightly parted as if he is barely holding back from exclaiming about the wondrous world he inhabits.

His left arm is lightly resting on one of the pillows that surround him, but he is not using them for support.

His body is perfectly upright, as if to demonstrate that he needs no such help.

His left foot is stretched before him, knee slightly bent and right hand touching his left foot.

His right leg is stretched out to the side horizontally; a ballerina would envy his effortless turn-out, his knee directly facing the ceiling.

This leg rests lightly on a blue ball.

This posture would be difficult for an adult to hold for any amount of time.

Yet he does it effortlessly.

I have never heard of this position as a meditation pose.

Yet, coupled with the serenity, joy, and equanimity on his face, he reminds me of a small enlightened Buddha

May he always remain so pure.