Happy Birthday, Vincent!

"I have a terrible need of — shall I say the word — religion. Then I go out and paint the stars."

— Vincent Van Gogh

The Art of Disappearing

by Naomi Shihab Nye
from Words Under the Words: Selected Poems

When they say Don't I know you?
say no.

When they invite you to the party
remember what parties are like
before answering.
Someone telling you in a loud voice
they once wrote a poem.
Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.
Then reply.

If they say We should get together
say why?

It's not that you don't love them anymore.
You're trying to remember something
too important to forget.
Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.
Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished.

When someone recognizes you in a grocery store
nod briefly and become a cabbage.
When someone you haven't seen in ten years
appears at the door,
don't start singing him all your new songs.
You will never catch up.

Walk around feeling like a leaf.
Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time.

A New Record!

March 1st! Who woulda thought?!? I'm going to bring the boxes down from the attic this weekend and pack the ornaments away. But I don't know about actually taking the tree down. The equinox is just three weeks away. Wouldn't it be great to have a tree from solstice to equinox? We'll see how dry it is. Stay tuned...