Artist: Vincent Van Gogh

Traces

Dylan quickly glanced up and down the cobbled stone street before returning his gaze to the untouched glass of wine. She would walk by any minute now … he was certain of it. On such a perfect night, with the full moon in play – she would surely stop when she saw him, he decided. Absently, he traced his middle finger along the lip of the glass. “Yes, she would surely stop”, he repeated to himself.

As he gazed off into the street, her image suddenly flooded his mind – with impossible beauty that always made his heart stop. He smiled at the thought of her swirling blue eyes that would hypnotize him so easily – and her brilliant smile that took his breath away. He floated on the rhythmic sway of her fingers as she walked – her private dance with the breeze – a dance she invited him to join. He could see her dress flirt across her knees as she reached for his hand. He smiled at her fluid movement …he could almost feel her touch.

And yet … instead, he felt a familiar tinge of sadness. A sadness that surprised him at this moment – after all, he was so close to her now. How long had it been since he last saw her? Almost three years. Going back to the states seemed like the right choice then … and now? Did he have regrets? He was unsure. But, he knew the reason he came back to visit Arles – was to see her. Had he always known he would return? So many emotions surfacing all at once – his hand slid down around the glass – caressing it with his fingers as he drifted in thought.

He floated back to the first night he saw her …

Michael

Artist: Vincent Van Gogh

Cafe Glance

with a single glance
as she walks by the cafe
takes his breath away

Michael

Artist: Lauri Blank

Reply

Leaning on the patio railing, Nicole gazes out into the backyard. It’s a Sunday afternoon in late autumn. The sun streams through the trees diffusing into golden ghostly glows. In a dance with the breeze and the leaves, the glow lands as undulating patterns of shade and light on the ground – all the way to the edge of the patio. The effect feels like waves lapping against a shore – nature at play.

Nicole feels a soothing rhythm from the shadow waves as her mind slowly begins to drift. She spots a pair of butterflies – they dance in and out of the shade. She feels herself swept up in the movement of their fluttering wings. Her mind travels thousands of miles away … to him … always back to him. She sees him walking along the lake – his smile suddenly bright. He knows she is thinking of him.

Nicole feels his touch with the cool breeze on her skin. She runs her fingers over her arms in response. She watches as he bends down to pick up a pebble along the shore of the lake. He carefully examines it – appraising its shape – making sure it is just right. After a moment, he turns to her .. and with a mischievous smile, he asks her … again. Then, he turns back towards the lake and skips the pebble across the surface – she hears the words repeat with each skip.

Nicole involuntarily traces the fingers of her right hand over the pebble on the railing – then cradles it in her hand. She suddenly feels the weight of his question as she plays with the pebble in her hand. She sees his image in front of her – smiling … she sighs as the two butterflies land together inches from her hand – waiting for her reply…

Michael

Artist: Childe Hassam

Silence

With her index finger lightly touching her lower lip, Kristen stares out her bedroom window – lost in thoughts of him. It seems like moments ago she was folded in his arms – “was it really moments ago?” she wonders. She looks back at her bed – almost expecting to see him lying there – instead of the emptiness that greets her.

Kristen smiles as she remembers how he came to her in her waking dream. It has to mean something – this was the fourth night in a row she dreamt him. And yet … she still had not heard from him. Not a word. “Is this really how it will end for us – unresolved silence?” she asks herself. With a sigh she turns back to the window.

A sudden series of musical chirps from her red cardinal friend evokes a broad smile that transforms her worried face. “It’s as if he hears my thoughts” she chuckles as she searches for him. She finds him in his usual spot – the oak tree branch just above the bird feeder. He looks right at her as he lets out another series of chirps – then a long silence – as if waiting for her reply.

Thankful for the momentary reprieve from the empty silence, she lets her thoughts slowly return to him. But, now she feels a movement within her. Forgotten notes start to play in her mind. She moves her fingers to her chest and begins to tap out the melody – to bring the music close to her heart. She feels the notes resonate within her. She smiles inside to see her cardinal friend still watching her – as if still waiting for her reply. “Does he know?” she wonders.

The music begins to evolve and expand within her. He is close – he has to be – she hears him in the music – her passion is on fire. Without realizing it, she sweeps her hands in the air – the notes play on her fingertips. She quickly walks in rhythm with the notes to the door and towards her piano in the parlor. She has to release them.

Sitting at her piano, with eyes closed – her fingers momentarily rest silent on the keys. She feels his presence as the empty silence ends…

Michael