make sure your eyes are doves

For Thanksgiving, I thought I’d post a painting by Irene Hardwicke Olivieri, whose work brings to my mind “bountiful”- richly colored, full of fruit, flora, creatures and sometimes transformation and surreal mystery. She creates her own totems and icons, and paints on whatever seems to be available – cutting boards or other found pieces of wood – in the tradition of folk art.

I met Irene virtually some weeks ago, traveled her site, and put her book on my wish list. I’d put Making You Lovely on my wish list, too, if it were within my means. (Why can't I sell a poem for, say, $450?)

This painting is called Wendy, and I figure Wendy is the somewhat owlish cat and the woman is Irene. One of the things I like about her paintings is how she incorporates words, tatooing people and landscapes. It’s too bad not to be able to see these works in person, where you could “read” the paintings. But even on the internet you can make this one: “Today January tenth two thousand and seven here I am in the center of Death Valley the lowest and hottest place in our country, and one of the most desolate . . . “

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In other worlds, of course I called my mother to wish her a happy Thanksgiving. I think next year I'll say so in person.

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And in the spirit of gratefulness, many thanks to Prick of the Spindle for nominating my poem "Faucet Song" for a Pushcart this morning.