Yeah, it’s Monday. Yeah, I’m technically on hiatus. Yeah, a whole lot of things, but this has been rolling around in my head since yesterday so I put pen to paper, so to speak, this morning.
A Laughing Reminder
I know that laugh far too well.
And it makes me cringe.
Years ago, I swore I’d never see it applied to me again.
Penniless undergrad parent,
I spent over thirty hours on three portraits
Only to hear, “At least you got my eyes right.”
Or some such cutting phrase.
It’s a blur of wedged between other hurts
Clinging to those years,
But I never saw those portraits again.
I vowed I’d never give share that part of myself with you.
At least then I’d never allow that specific pain.
A sense of control, though small, pulled from years when so much felt out of my control.
Enter 2020, a renewed vigor for art, a reclaiming of skills, a need to create amid destruction.
The first clue came in May, a small piece brought a dismissive smile to your lips.
I waved it off because I needed to create and others have displayed what I’ve given them.
But my second this year, a gift for two, brought that laugh again.
And I’ve never been happier for social distancing.