cosmic skin glow
fingers float —
involuntary
quiver
wash of breath

~~~~~~
This spring I have been finding myself the object/subject of life drawing classes at the Coconino Center for the Arts. I said yes to one gig and then another and another. This is the most recent posture for which I will pose three more hours.

Basically a modified child’s pose (balasana), this may have been the most difficult pose I’ve done to date. I knew I was safe, but psychologically felt extremely exposed. I could not see, so I turned inward and focused on my breath – it was loud in my ears because my head was covered by my arms. I could feel my ribs expand and contract. My hands, fingers, and upper arms fell asleep, and after about twenty minutes felt like wood. My upper back and wrists are achy today.

The teacher wanted a curled inward form. The students/artists at first did not like the shape, but began to see the value in the challenge of the details of the ribs, scapula, spine and skin, the lines of the arms, hands and fingers. By the end of class, they voted to work on their drawings for another three hours – so back I go next week.

~ ~ ~ ~

April 23, 2019
Flagstaff, Arizona