This must be what Leonardo was thinking when he painted Mona Liza

Thanks, Sam. I have no doubt that Da Vinci felt very close to the images he created.

This is really quite wondrous Sam .. a compelling story poem from beginning to end .. I was once an aspiring artist (still am on the quiet) and so I can relate .. Subsequently awarded the dubble 👍👍

Thank you, Neville. I’m glad you relate.

I’m happy other writers are seeing your work. It deserves much more attention than just a few comments. I think I may have read this once before, but the emotion you’ve created is still like new. You know how to set a scene and deliver every time. Excellent story Sam.

Thanks, Tim.

Sam, you know I’ve read enough of your work that I am honest in my comments. So I can say I am so proud of what you have done here. This is quite spare, and all the more lovely because of it. You convey the beauty of the artist’s creation through his eyes rather than his brush, and the love he has lavished her with, not the paint. He might have no talent at all; but that is not what he sees — nor us, because of it. It is very fine, my friend, one of your very best.
FD

Thank you so much. Long before I tried to write stories, I smeared paint around on canvases–nearly always painting women. This story, then, wasn’t hard to write. Don’t know if you ever looked at my photos, but several examples of my artwork are there.

I don’t know how that’s possible. There are many drawings and several paintings there.

Neruda would’ve invited you over for a beer on the veranda, and talk words with you. What an afternoon that woulda been, huh. You’d fit right in.