The poem "A Photograph" by Shirley Toulson tells the story of a woman looking at an old photograph of her mother and her mother's two friends. The photograph was taken at the beach when the three women were young and carefree.

As the woman looks at the photograph, she remembers her mother and wonders about her life before she became a mother. She imagines her mother laughing and having fun with her friends, and wonders what happened to those carefree days.

The woman also notices the details in the photograph, such as the clothes the women are wearing and the way they have their hair styled. She realizes that the photograph captures a moment in time that can never be recreated.

Throughout the poem, the woman reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing memories. She realizes that the photograph is a precious reminder of her mother's youth and the joy she experienced before becoming a mother.

In the end, the woman realizes that the photograph is not just a picture, but a window into her mother's past. It is a way for her to connect with her mother and understand her better. The poem reminds us of the importance of treasuring memories and cherishing the moments that make up our lives.

The main plot tells us that how time waits for none and only the memories remaining with us. But however, the photograph of his mother at the beach was actually a physical method to remind him of her.As he addresses it as "the cardboard" it is ironical because that piece of cardboard preserved a memory very neatly but the person herself is long gone now.