A first for Art of Poetry, poet friends write individual poems about the same artwork as a call and response.  Read how Robert Manchester replies to the drenched pedestrian of Patricia Deaton’s poem from last week’s post.

Robert Manchester
STRANGERS II
After “Umbrellas” by Maud Gatewood

Yes, I caught
your glance.
Held just a second
too long
to be casual.
More to ask –
Don’t you see
my troubled heart
my lost love?

I would have tipped
my hat, given you
a wave,
but one hand held
my umbrella,
the other held
a box
filled with
my broken dreams.