Look up from the developing trays.
You can’t see it yet,
But something is coming.
Maybe you smell the shift—
Or feel the marching—
An army? A friend?
It depends.

Kiss your Pentax K1000 goodbye,
But photos are here to stay.
They’ll appear everywhere—
Every day, every reason.
You’ll see the image immediately,
Then rarely look back.
Photography in reverse.

It will be glorious and ghastly.
Great shots.
Instant edits.
Sharing like magic.
Abandoned photo box.
Dead computers.
Lost memories.

You’ll remember then,
The anguish of wondering.
“Did I get the shot?”
The exhalation.
The disappointment.
The heart flutter of holding a beauty,
An image born out of hard labor.
A paper treasure.

Your darkroom days are ending,
I feel I must relay it.
But the truth is,
You’ll come out alright
If you take this hint:
Enjoy the advances,
And don’t forget to print!