I was looking for a poem and watercolor image from about 20 something years ago. I was scanning through boxes, books and plastic boxes for a rose and an owl image. I looked in my black portfolio art books too. I think I am going to have to go through the big plastic boxes in my art closet. The ones that are stacked one on top of the other.
Yet, today while so many fucking planets are descending at the same time with the sun my energy is at an all-time low. Later, as the full moon and Jupiter dance their cosmic tango to the mid-heaven tonight, I will be feeling much better. I will look for my art creation later. I did come upon something else. A watercolor I did for a patient years ago.
Her name is Ann. She was once a psychiatric nurse. I attended to her needs when she was an Alzheimer’s patient living in a home in the Santa Cruz Mountains called The Mansion. As an all-round aide, entertainment person and house keeper; I had several patients to attend to. Ann was one of my favorites. She kept to herself and was very clean and tidy. I use to take my patients / friends on long walks or van rides around the mountains or along the beach. Ann would often hold my hand and smile. Just as a mom would hold her daughter’s hand.
One day I sneezed and she handed me a tissue and said,
“Will this do?”
I looked and saw a five-dollar bill. I told Ann to keep it. I had a tissue in my pocket.
I also arranged for art classes for those who wanted to be creative. It was difficult to keep my friends focused. We had lots of fun. At one of these classes I water-colored red roses for Ann.
Once another patient fell down and hurt herself. Ann went from being her usual tame self to a professional nurse. Ann handled the situation as a charming and caring nurse. When the emergency was under control Ann walked away with her usual soft tennis shoe walk. Not a care in the world.
The Seminary of Praying Mantis Publishing 