The Model Consoles The Artist In Her Sleep(For Janice) Poem by Dónall Dempsey

You cry out
in your sleep

a little cry
of anguish

as if grief
touched your soul

with its cold cold hands.

I cover your breast
with my palm

comfort you
with touch

that dispells...quells

all fears
that gather here

until you're
... still

your lips mumbling
as if in confession

against my chest
(your chosen place of rest)

'I was mixing rose madder with...'

& then you fall back
gently into...


The artist

sleeps

dreams

smiles

cobalt blue mixing
with vermillion

to achieve

a rich warm
black