Yupo Koi and a Poem

Koi, watercolor and acrylic glazes on Yupo

I know, everyone paints koi.  But I wanted to try something watery for this plastic surface.  A local garden shop has a koi pond in their greenhouse, and on bitter cold days, sometimes I walk there among the houseplants, and sit to watch the fish.

Lullaby

by Amanda Jernigan

My little lack-of-light, my swaddled soul,

December baby.  Hush for it is dark,

and will grow darker still.  We must embark

directly.  Bring an orange as the toll

for Charon: he will be our gondolier.

Upon the shore, the season pans for light,

and solstice fish, their eyes gone milky white,

come bearing riches for the dying year:

Solstitial kingdom.  It is yours, the mime

of branches and the drift of snow.  With shaking

hands, Persephone, the winter's wife,

will tender you a gift.  Born in a time

of darkness, you will learn the trick of making.

You shall make your consolation all your life.