Patricia Deaton shares her poem inspired by Maud Gatewood’s painting for the Woman Made exhibit at Art of Poetry on March 18, 2017. In a neat twist, a poet friend of Patricia responded with his own poem. It will be featured in next week’s Art of Poetry. Woman Made will run through April 23 at Hickory Museum of Art.
Patricia Deaton
STRANGER
After “Umbrellas” by Maud Gatewood
If I glanced at you in a rainstorm
on a twilit evening, nylon domes intruding,
drooping hair – wet, wool smell – would you
find me worth acknowledging? Could you see
past a dour countenance, grim mouth, chilled
spirit if I relax my jaw, meet your eyes – breath
caught where my heart sits dry, unguarded?
If I glanced at you in a rainstorm with umbrellas
touching, perfect shoes ruined – starch absent
from dampened shirt – a pastry box going soft
in your grasp, you might think it safe to ask
Do I know you? And I’d shake my head no.
Art of Poetry at the Hickory Museum of Art 
Love the mood of this poem–and the collapsing pastry box.
You have so many sensory elements that draw one into the poem – I love it!
It is wonderful. It goes so very well with ne painting. You do good every time.
This is a wonderful poem, Patricia. Nice job!