The picture that I drew
didn’t look like him,
and yet it somehow captured
something of his voice while reading,
something of humanity
in deeper tones than casual good will

She drew my foot –
I didn’t see her work
but my foot felt it –
all its surfaces in high alert

We took turns reading
while being drawn,
ideas and images joined the room,
different people picked them up
and held them close

Afterwards I found my affection
throwing a fond net
to draw everyone in –
these artists, their experiences,
points of view, ideals,
and the mutual respect
that holds us
bright and safe
in this salon.

©Wendy Mulhern
August 8 2023