The mother's reaction upon seeing the photograph is a pivotal point in the poem "A Photograph." The poem describes a photograph of the speaker's mother and uncle taken when they were children. When the mother sees the photo, she is filled with a range of emotions.

Initial Reaction

At first, the mother is startled and taken aback by the photograph. She cannot believe that she is looking at herself and her brother as children. This initial reaction is captured in the line, "I cannot go to him, he comes to me." The mother is stunned by the realization that her past is still present in some way.

Emotional Overload

As the mother looks at the photograph, she becomes overwhelmed with emotions. The poem describes her tears falling on the picture, which suggests that she is deeply moved. The mother is transported back to a time when she was innocent, carefree, and happy. She is also reminded of the loss of her brother, who died at a young age. These emotions are captured in the line, "Both lost to me forever / An image that I have carried / And cherished / And sometimes / Despair of ever finding again."

Nostalgia and Longing

The mother's reaction to the photograph is also characterized by nostalgia and longing. She longs to return to the time when she and her brother were children and everything was simple and uncomplicated. The photograph reminds her of a time when she was loved and cared for, and she longs to experience that feeling again. This sense of nostalgia and longing is captured in the line, "The smile on your lips / Was the promise / Of the world to me."

Overall, the mother's reaction to the photograph is complex and multifaceted. She is initially startled and then overwhelmed with emotions. Her reaction is characterized by nostalgia, longing, and a deep sense of loss.

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