Arthur in the Photograph

That's Arthur, in this fading photograph,
Delivering the news about our Dad,
Which clearly hasn't made him very sad –
Look at that smile! He seems to want to laugh,
Suppressing it because his epitaph
(He hopes) will read: "The best friend that we had."
But look at him: he does seem pretty glad,
Too proud, too sharp, too satisfied by half.

My mother took this photo, a quick snap
Before he could compose himself, the lout,
Into his cool obligatory pout
And get my mother on his linty lap.
Her heart, unmoved by how he held his cap
And looked down smartly, never was found out.