MAKING WAVES

    after Joan Mitchell

It rises up

under a foreboding

menacing presence

that bears down 

like a dark cloud

gathers all its elements

into an arch and

with full force 

crests, ready to 

thrash and crash 

but instead brings 

itself to a halt.

Yes, why not simply 

step back from the 

the surge—the sadness, 

the anger, the loneliness, 

the shame—

 while it mounts inside

with the intent to strike 

and just watch it, become

a witness to 

the sweep and texture

the push and pigment

of its intricacy 

of its handiwork, so delicate

so well-meaning 

in its application

and accept the humanity 

in it, the art of the impulse

and pause and ponder  

at the desire to make 

and not make waves.