The document analyzes a poem by Shirley Toulson that reflects on the transient nature of life through a photograph of the poet's mother during her childhood beach holiday. It discusses how the photograph serves as a memory for the poet, who feels a deep sense of loss and nostalgia after her mother's death. The poem is structured in three stanzas, representing different phases of life: the mother's childhood, the poet's childhood memories with her mother, and the poet's grief after her mother's passing.

1. A Photograph
 Shirley Toulson
Think It Out
1.What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?
Ans. The word ‘cardboard in the poem refers to the photograph, which is just a piece
of paper. The photograph server as a memory for the poet as her mother is dead and
gone. This word is used to signify permanent photo record for the ever-lasting
memory.
2.What has the camera captured?
Ans. The camera has captured a nostalgic moment of the poetess mother. When her
mother went on a beach holiday with her two younger cousin sisters. They both were
holding the hand of poetess mother, as she was the eldest among them. The three of
them stood smiling as the wind tousled their hair.
3.What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you?
Ans. The sea has changed less but not in an observable way. Yes, this suggests that
human life is transient. The transparency of the human life is compared with the
permanent nature of sea.
4.The poetess’s mother laughed at the snapshot? What did this laugh indicate?
Ans. The mother laughed at the fleeting moments that had long passed. She relived
the memories when they were dressed as children and taken out for a sea holiday. She
laughed as she recalled the happy memories.

2. 5. What is the meaning of the line “Both wry with the labored ease of loss”.
Ans. The poet’s mother had been out for a sea holiday year back and felt nostalgic
about it, just as the poet felt when she relived the memories of her mother. Ironically,
the memories in both the cases were beautiful. However, was painful, for the author
to recall the time that has slipped away easily.
6. What does ‘this circumstance’ refer to?
Ans. ‘This circumstance’ refers to the death of poet’s mother. This fact is as true as
real as one that her mother had experienced, on the beach. Both the situations are now,
a memory of past. The first is the memory of the mother’s past and the second of the
poet’s past.
7. The three stanzas depict three different phases. Name them.
Ans. The 'Phases Of Life' discussed by the poet in the Poem are: -
a. Childhood of the mother, when she was 12 years old: -
The 1st stanza depicts a photograph of her mother when she went on a sea holiday
with her cousin sisters and uncle, who clicked their picture while they were smiling
through their hairs.
b.The poet's childhood days, when her mother became an adult: -
The 2nd stanza depicts the mother recalling her childhood memories and laughing on
their dressing sense while looking at the old photograph.
c. After the death of the mother: -
The 3rd stanza depicts that the mother is dead now for twelve years. The poet’s
looking at the same photograph and got nostalgia of her mother’s laughter. The loss
of her mother puts her in extreme grief. She has no words to describe the terrible pain
of her mother’s death.