Look beyond the colors,

the lines, the shapes,

the piece hanging

on the gallery wall. Look,

with your eyes closed,

into its center, hear

its heart pounding, and listen

to the brushstrokes chant

primitive songs. Smell

the oil, the canvas,

the artist’s body blazing

with the fever of inspiration.

And then, feel. Feel

the longing, the healing,

the ecstasy of creation pull

you in deeper to swirl, to spin,

to dance with this force

electrifying the molecules

inside you and around you,

transforming art into life,

and life into art.