How It Was - and Is

I was painting – a painting painting – 
and when that right moment arrived 
I went deep into the manic time, the flying zone. 
For those readers who have never gone flying, 
let me tell you it is the absolute best feeling you can have – ever. 
How often do you get the opportunity 
to be clear and fast and all-powerful,
so deep in love with what you are doing that you can’t breathe 
and time and the world vanish and you don’t care?

My bedroom was my studio. 
My mother was dying, my wife had divorced me, 
and I had ordered a dozen or more pints 
of every color of acrylic paint I thought I might like, 
plus brushes in every size. 
I couldn’t afford it, and I didn’t care. 
When the order arrived I moved the bed 
out of my/our former bedroom and ripped up the carpet, 
stapled large sheets of heavy drawing paper to the wall, 
turned Ani DiFranco to full volume, 
and went to work. 

Going in was the hard part, the getting there, 
but I could feel when it was happening, 
feel it in my chest and breath, the movement of my body, 
and I was gone. 

I painted until the piece itself told me to stop; 
in that very instant I rejoined the world.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Puddifoot Avatar
October 21, 2013 at 5:41 PM
I thought I would take a look at your earliest posts - didn't realize you only joined the site at the beginning of the year - and how appropriate that I should pick this one! it's awesome, I love it...soup mail for you...
Jordan Avatar
October 21, 2013 at 5:49 PM
Thanks, Charlotte. I haven't been with Soup for very long, but I've enjoyed myself... Jack
Puddifoot Avatar
October 21, 2013 at 5:42 PM
haha the captcha just said 'awe' - I told you it was awesome! :)
A  Avatar
September 7, 2013 at 8:54 PM
CONGRATULATIONS JACK, on having your poem featured on the soups Home Page. Love ~SKAT~
Jordan Avatar
September 7, 2013 at 9:05 PM
Thanks, SKAT... Jack
A   Avatar
September 7, 2013 at 5:11 PM
Hi Jack, :-), Congratulations on your Featured Poem of the week. Nice seeing your poem on the front page... always~ Linda..
Jordan Avatar
September 7, 2013 at 6:18 PM
Thanks, Linda. I never fail to be surprised when it happens. It's a real honor, especially in such good company... Jack
A   Avatar
August 16, 2013 at 6:07 PM
I was painting – a painting painting – Ha, now that's a daring way to start the poem.. it makes me think of painting a painting. some how I felt a sad freezing moment when reading your poem. Jack, glad you stopped,, hope reality is working for you... always~ Linda
Jordan Avatar
August 16, 2013 at 6:13 PM
Thankfully, it is. The poem took place many years ago in another life.
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