This is the last week to view the amazing photographs of Steve McCurry at Hickory Museum of Art as the exhibit closes May 8. “Unexpected Beauty: Views From The Lens of Steve McCurry” has been an educational experience for anyone who has visited the exhibit. Art of Poetry has certainly benefitted as poets from the US and Canada have shared works around the iconic shots. This week, we feature a poem by Lenoir-Rhyne University instructor, Brenda Smith, photographed above with the McCurry photograph that inspired her work. Photo courtesy of Roger and Ginny Sanford.

Brenda Smith
THE LIGHT, THE WORDS, THE CAT, AND I
after “Monk Studies Buddhist Scripture in Late Afternoon” by Steve McCurry

Below me the mat
Grounding me to this earth.
Above me the sky’s light
A slant through the roof
The late afternoon sun
Close to setting
Flashing gold and orange.
Behind me, the cat
Watching, patient, still.
In my hands the scriptures
Speaking of light
And man’s longing
Of how one day
We may merge–
Light and longing.
The scroll in my palms
Nearly weightless
Yielding truths and wisdom.
Words lifting off
The ancient page
Hovering in air
Offering up a message:
Watch, be patient, and still
Like the cat, like the cat.