Compass Our Awe

A poem

Nasturtiums (1905) by Odilon Redon. Original from the Yale University Art Gallery. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.

Why do we share our art but for the company of like minds
through words that compass our awe
unlock human glimpses, calloused with grief and hope
to draw truths from the bright of good
balm sad tides in unexpected notes
and idiosyncratic lines around your eye and mouth,
training sight for unseen beauty in things guttered.