"Morning Clouds" by Michelle McElroy
I read widow with carnations by Kate LaDew
painted by someone named henri
what else could you be but a painter with a name like henri?
and I look up to find, not a widow, but an open window
leading to a beautiful garden
a glass of carnations in the exact middle of the wooden sill
I adjust my glasses, annoyed
I don’t know why my mind seeks the worst of things
the saddest outcome and why it can be disappointed
after being gifted something wonderful
why, I think, yes, this is lovely,
but somewhere beyond all this light, this glinting glass, this green grass,
there’s a woman mourning, I’m sure of it, dying flowers in her hands
what else could you be but a painter with a name like henri?
and I look up to find, not a widow, but an open window
leading to a beautiful garden
a glass of carnations in the exact middle of the wooden sill
I adjust my glasses, annoyed
I don’t know why my mind seeks the worst of things
the saddest outcome and why it can be disappointed
after being gifted something wonderful
why, I think, yes, this is lovely,
but somewhere beyond all this light, this glinting glass, this green grass,
there’s a woman mourning, I’m sure of it, dying flowers in her hands
Kate LaDew is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA in Studio Art. She resides in Graham, NC with her cats Charlie Chaplin and Janis Joplin.
Michelle McElroy is a native New Englander who studied painting at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has worked at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Skinner Auction House and Historic New England. Interested by how light and shadow can transform everyday scenes are constant inspiration. These are images that she may see on early morning runs, midnight snacks in the kitchen or simple observations of everyday scenes that people can connect with or create a narrative of their own. Michelle’s work has been accepted into various juried shows in galleries around the United States and actively shows at local venues, such as libraries and cafes. She is a member of the Cambridge Art Association, Edward Hopper House, and Center for the Arts in New London, New Hampshire. Michelle lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two cats. Instagram: @michellemcelroyart Website: michellemcelroy.com
