Self-Portrait

Dawn. A 22 by 30 sheet of Stonehenge art paper,

two 4B pencils, a jar of Sumi-e ink and brush.

The artist sets out her tools on the table.

Short meditation, then begin. She does not imitate

the scene out the window, the rolling hills, the barn.

The work unfolds from inside out. Formed and formless.

Paper fills with shades of grey,white, brush -strokes of black.

All that she knows and wills comes forth in ink and lead.

Dusk, the artist’s chair stands empty.

Tools strewn across the table. She disappears.

Although a sharp eye might see her

in a wash of ink, a shadow, negative space.