The Widows' Handbook: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Survival

Why I Paint

252 the widows’ handbook Why I Paint Donna Waidtlow Another autumn painting Big splashy globs Of yellow and orange oils Mimic dying leaves Streaks of topaz and rust Mimic dying grass No one says, You’re still obsessed With his death! No one puts their arm around my shoulders Says, Get over it! Get a life! No one reminds me that we fought like banshees There are no questions where I have no answers I mix the crisp blue Of a cooling sky The tinge of absent breath But no one knows that the purple Is my bruised heart Sounds sentimental When I say it straight out Doesn’t it? But I can hide in the trees Linger in grief’s embrace No one knows I’m here If they notice anything It will be my brushstrokes My lack of perspective ...