Disability Arts Online

Through the Tunnel

Da da d-art through the Mersey Tunnel, red, yellow and sepia
somewhere between hard and soft, decisions in black charcoal
cast aside embarrassment, untangling from your own space,
the world outside cauterised with talk of dreams, scarves and beads
intimate gallery place and time.

Da da da time for black capped enthusiasm and dimpled brilliance.
Big eyes for Kate, very Picasso.
Tan Nan Jan, what will they all be like? “Everyone is lovely”.
Physical contact and shared lime light, bright in our faces,
shadows cast about, drawing us in, drawing round us.

Da da da draw closer, on the floor so your eyes can see
feet, easels, wrinkles and pubic hair.
Take five, break into comfortable robes, draped and bejewelled,
then back for ten, casually sat, stay like this like that, the artist,
chat, falling easels, unreserved excitement and a sweet pepper palette.

Da da da playing with the light, soft lines gently held her, joining
outside inside worlds separated by a green button and volunteers.
Interpretation, a man who sees but does not speak,
another, camera held like high eyes, what does he observe?
Graces, more than three: love, respect, strength, and history.

Da da da our story, bus home for a pound, paid for with a picture,
curving around Liverpool, twilit dazzling glass n blue-black autumn,
time etched across our bodies as scars, remembrances,
the angle between an arm pit and a breast, one hundred and seventy six years,
the movement of hair - fire crackers.