Brushes At Ease

Cleaned and at the ready
the brushes sit feathers up
in an old mug. It’s been a while
the painting is still waiting.

Wanting. Pulling me in.
I love the phthalo hues moving
into the darkness under
the white crest of a breaker,

the forever horizon stretching
out in a long straight line
against the backdrop of pink
blue skies and clouds. It hurts

to turn away but still I leave
the painting untouched.

Jeremy P. McKay