Art: Explosion of Rainbow by Britnie WalstonStrawberry
I wish I was dead so I could go to
Heaven because at Sunday School they say
that Jesus died for my sins, and I sin,
but when I die I’ll live forever and
I can’t do that here, on Earth I mean, so
my only choice for life is death so if
I can live forever why should I hang
around here now? After Sunday School this
morning that’s what I told Miss Hooker and
she threw her hand over her heart, over
her left bosom I mean, her heart’s deeper
inside her than mine is in mine and I
thought she was going to have a stroke or
heart attack and when they say The truth hurts
I understand that now but when they say
The truth shall set you free I’m not so sure
unless they mean that the truth will kill you
like it almost did her, Miss Hooker, so
I helped her to her swivel rocker
behind her desk and for a moment I
wanted to stand behind her and spin and
spin her around like I do at the drug
store when Father takes me there after my
check-up and I’ve got a nasty cold or
a bug so I get a strawberry ice
cream cone out of it, two scoops if I don’t
cry when the nurse gives me a shot, I spin
and spin on the stool, first to the left and
then to the right until Father has to warn
Finish your ice cream, boy, we need to go
home so I do and we do but before
we leave I give it one last turn with my
hand as if I’ll never see it again,
I feel the same way about Miss Hooker,
I’d warn her so but God’s the father here.
–Gale Acuff
About the author:
Gale Acuff has had poetry published in Ascent, Chiron Review, Pennsylvania Literary Journal, Poem, Adirondack Review, Maryland Poetry Review, Florida Review, Slant, Nebo, Arkansas Review, South Dakota Review, and many other journals. Acuff has authored three books of poetry, all from BrickHouse Press: Buffalo Nickel, The Weight of the World, and The Story of My Lives.
Acuff has taught university English courses in the US, China, and Palestine.
Art: Explosion of Rainbow by Britnie Walston
In the artist's words:
Britnie Walston is a Maryland based versatile artist and photographer, capturing energy through light, vibrant color, depth, and texture. The use of exaggerated brushstrokes and abstract color give her paintings life and voice. Her landscapes and abstract work consist of a variety of unconventional techniques to capture the elements portrayed. One of the most used techniques in her abstract paintings, is the method of mixing each individual color using acrylic paint, floetrol, silicone, and water. Together, they create “cell like” forms. Britnie also achieves different designs and textures using household objects such as strainers, straws, and frosting spatulas. She aims to depict the emotions of liberation (“set free”) and freedom (“being free”). As a child who grew up around the Chesapeake Bay, her work as a whole, is inspired by nature and portrays the absence of human presence, bringing out the personality of nature itself, while providing the viewer the opportunity to escape and appreciate all the beauty that surrounds us. More of her work can be found at
www.BNWArt.com. Portfolio link:
www.BNWArt.com/portfolio
