Day 40 of a Photo a Day: Poetry and Marilyn

watercolour, by Marilyn Irwin

the lines kept you

drawn in

hanging segments

saturated coasts

bled watercolour

words coat words

fume fusion

suppress indigo

memory plasters

precise fingerprints

mere measurement

of space) (between) (space

the emptiness

that accompanies

fresh canvas

This poem is from Marilyn's second chapbook, flicker (above/ground press, 2012).

I met Marilyn about two years ago now, and since then not only have I been exposed to her beautiful poetry, but I've also had the privilege of experiencing her own innate and beaming beauty firsthand. Today I saw her, along with a hilarious man named David Collins, and my other great and talented friend Chris Johnson, read poetry. I forgot my camera, but took this abstract close-up to accompany a post about this night.

Pour Boy was completely packed with friends and fans and warm with drinks and kind people. I am not a poet, nor am I even really a poetry fangirl in my heart, but I love my friends, and it was so nice to see them all again and hear them be the wizards of words that they truly are.

Marilyn read a poem about a difficult period for the both of us, and a night where I brought her some comfort. Marilyn, you have no idea how much comfort you have brought me in nearly everything you do. You are a warm, witty and incredible woman, and the nights that I've spent with you, at times feeling like I might become anxious in the presence of people I didn't know very well, you have consistently amazed me in how easily you have made me feel like I belonged. Thank you for being such an wonderful, unique, and beautiful human being. You are special to me.

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