Henri Matisse, “The Girl with Green Eyes” Respect walks with air of mutuality stepping freely and with feeling — yet it limps when lopsided with agenda. Strange fur morphs this new beastie. Its smile shines with stained hollow pegs, baby doll eyes of emptiness, its every act now tainted with suspicion.

Henri Matisse, “Woman with a Hat” Promptitis or promptosis? An inflammation or a chronic condition? I call The Muse without a Prompt and She waits for Pavlov’s bell to ring. Nature stands mute and cats are just cats.

Henri Matisse, “Blue Nude” I’ve had three massage therapists over the last twenty years Masseuse One: fifteen years, super cheap, head to toe, loved to talk, which developed into a friendship, which ruined the massages. Masseuse Two: three years, exceptionally skilled, informed healer; inflation floated her above my pocketbook. Masseur One (3): cheap, in a…

Henri Matisse, “Dance” Poor circulation in my feet led me to Cloud Massager bottom rollers up and down, side to side, back and forth bellows open and close my footsies, gripping, randomly going through its routine of ecstasy giving. Please design one for the whole body. I wonder what one for the soul would be…

Henri Matisse, “Interior with Egyptian Curtain” Cats offer us a chance at mindfulness if one is on our lap and we choose not to read, phone surf, or stream. Instead, pet and notice her silky fur, see how her eyes close, listen to her purr as you breathe in lilacs on the breeze.

Henri Matisse, “The Pinapple” [sic] Angel Flies with One Wing Her small, gaunt white figure prays at the garden shoppe. I write her a poem. She stays with me through the weekend. Monday, I buy her; bring her home, wheel-barrow to patio, she falls. Broken, she flies with one wing.

Henri Matisse, “The Blue Window” Raindrops have speckled the windows this morning. I wonder how much has fallen. Weather report’s prediction came through Last night there was no thunder/lightning. I listened/watched until dropped into dry dreams. Looking out now, I see it is still falling.