‘Once the paint is gone,

So am I’, I realized. At my
Monday night art class. All I have are
Small starter sets’ tiny acrylic tubule
Paints. I always know it will run out,
So I would puddle a small squeeze
To be mixed with another. Which
Never lasts, you see? I can’t cover
A canvas with dribs and drabs,
Though I’ve tried, unreasoned….

I colored over an old attempt,
Tonight, used my night class art-room’s
Abundant paint. I meted out 10x as much!
Blue and red and orange, yellow and black, more
Than I am used to, which would have collapsed
My .4 fluid ounce tubes. And, I had so much
Fun! It’s a sunset, late-day blues and darks
And orange and red hugged above a thin strip
Of black background-relief, yellow-horizoned…

‘Maybe, once the paint is gone, so I am.’

Once the paint is gone.

Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
© Copyright 4/6/09