Every morning – CLACK! – CLACK! – CLACK!

The sound of cell doors being unlocked.

Quick! Get up! Hurry to the microwave,

heat water for coffee, my morning elixir.

Careful, do not spill it on me.

Ah! I’m first to the activity room.

I get the seat by the window,

Light on my left to illuminate

My stipple art as I begin my day.

Dot, dot, dot . . . so many dots.

First, the outlines which resolve into shapes,

Pause to check perspective, then more dots.

All day, dots, dots, dots, until they

Begin to build tones and after hours

I see forms on the page.

Forms of people, trees, clouds, all giving

Expression, giving life in a black and white world.

My, did I just stipple a metaphor of

My daily life. If so, I am at peace with my art.

CLACK! CLACK! ClACK! So ends another day.