From Writing Notebook 2021.
In Celebration Of
that hilarious photograph
my most embarrassing childhood moment
on display piano-top in a fancy silver frame
for all the party guests to see
my parents who still ask
why can’t you take a joke
bent over
knee-slapping
they scream with laughter
the guests who titter
and then fall silent
unclear on the etiquette
of this situation
I think I will try the salmon puffs
they edge toward the buffet table
all the faces, though
turn to me
when I throw the photo
frame and all
into the punch bowl
ginger ale and ice cream
swallow it up
It sinks
into a sticky
oblivion
hitting bottom
The frame clunks against the
antique glass and then
all is quiet
Except for me.
Yes.
That hilarious photograph
after all these years
has finally
made me laugh.
2/15/21
Claudia McGill Writes Poetry, Did You Know That? 
Hehe! I suppose you were just waiting for the right opportunity! I don’t think my parents would have ever done anything like that to me and so I would have never been compelled to make a photo attempt to swim. I think it justifiable photocide!
totally agree (K)
My parents called it “teasing” and “can’t you take a joke?”
I’ve always disliked teasing in general. It always seems to have an undercurrent of hostility.
I can certainly endorse that opinion. I think teasing is something done to someone, not like laughing with them in a mutual way, and it is nothing but painful to the object.
My parents were totally capable of this though they didn’t try this avenue (for one thing I don’t think we had punch bowl). It is no fun being told you have no sense of humor about being embarrassed again and again when you can’t fight back.
I really love that final stanza, the triumph over years of oppressive embarrassment. I really like the way the focus on this one very specific area of conflict speaks to a larger relationship between the subject and their parents.
I can attest to the truth of this poem from my own life (though this incident did not happen, I just imagined it from a chance thought about family photos).