My original poem was “Listen with your hands.” see 2nd photo—that’s how Peter gets inspired at Art Speaks. He uses his energy to get a sense of the painting. Carrie gives him some description and then he writes great poems! I’m on draft 12 or 15. here. My other versions were titled “Listen with your Hands” —- I rewrote this for a Raft friend (whom i also met in person a year ago) who just found out she has untreatable cancer and went home from Mayo’s right into hospice. it was such a shock. She asked for comfort so I’d like to send this to her. Coincidentally, that day, Peter & I wrote from the same painting. We have another version where Peter and I combined our lines into another poem.

Refuge

Caress the air of this indigo forest,

its chalk-shadowed trees rubbed with quiet.

Huddle up in the blue shawl of dusk

to shut out suffering.

Let shades of worry be veiled away for now.

Fibers of light-blue streak the air,

proclaim azured comfort of what is still good.

Be in this shelter of shadow.

Rest in the bluing peace of this very moment.

+++

Since I wrote this, I learned of a sweet friend from The Raft ( we even met in person once time ) —who was JUST diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. She was sent home to Wis. from Mayo’s last week in hospice care. I sent her this version with a card this morning. It still speaks to last week as well, I think. Thank you for your helpful comments! Margaret said the painting was untitled.

Respite for 2025

Caress the air of this indigo forest,

its chalk-shadowed trees rubbed with quiet.

Huddle up in the blue shawl of dusk

and shut out suffering.

Let shades of worry be veiled for now.

Fibers of light-blue streak the air,

proclaiming azured comfort of what is still good.

Be in this shelter of shadow.

Rest in the bluing peace of this very moment.