Painting Spring

A sunny Friday before Christmas in Charleston, South Carolina. The wind blustered and howled down the crowded streets.The raw air from the waterfront forced us to don scarves and gloves. As we were propelled along the streets , I continued to people watch. On the curb, more into traffic than not, this painter stood silently engrossed in his work. I couldn’t resist looking over his shoulder and then across the street to his view. While the trees were bare, his trees were full of life and color. I enjoyed his purposeful approach, focused on his task and oblivious to those that fanned out around him. There were so many parts of his story that I’d never know. Was the painting a gift that he ached to finish before the holiday? Did he only have a small, precious bit of free time to do what he loved? Were the spring leaves a sign of better days to come? I left thinking how lucky he was to be able to focus and follow through on a creative task, and how lucky I was to feel this breath of spring.

Cherry Tree Ballet

A Ballet

BJ Silberman

Roseate petticoats swirl in pleasure

Practicing a familiar ballet of

Pirouettes, jetes,and  arabesques.

Pink and pearl blossoms

Rain gently.

Spent silken petals

Spread their kimono

Over newly green grass.

Silently , hoping not to awaken summer.