by Andrea Potos

WRITING IN THE COFFEE SHOP WHERE I IMAGINE VAN GOGH
WOULD HAVE PAINTED

These neon yellow chairs,
rust red walls and scrubbed floorboards,
this early sun brushing across one whole
wall of windows where
I sit at my narrow table;
the painted wood glistens.
Warmth burns through the glass
to touch me–
my hand shadows the words.

_________________________________________________________________________

INTERIOR WITH A VIOLIN CASE
Henri Matisse.

Beyond white drapes and French doors,
three blackbirds are on the verge
of flying off a slategreen railing
that hems water and sky.
Blue has ventured within
the room and gathered like deep twilight
inside the violin case spread open
and emptied.
Somewhere near
there must be music
playing the notes of the sea.