90. SISTER OF DRAGONS

I easily fall into the space where I think this art is mine...

Forgetting that I have been chosen and gifted to create it...

That She needs me to do this art

That She brings me the person who will be in it

The person She needs for Her own reasons...

I easily forget that sometimes

And go back to thinking that this art is all me, all mine...

Thinking that it is all up to me who is photographed

And when, and where, and how...

In 1997 when I did a show in a gallery where 120 of these photographs hung for three solid months

You walked into the room, April, so Chinese,

With such dignity, such ancient feminine light,

Carrying uncountable wise ancestors in your heart

So visible, so empowered --

A registered nurse from the big hospital, 25 years old...

I watched you for an hour as you studied each photograph

Watched you perplexed as I tried

To think of some way to meet you

You slowly made your way around the room

Then you came straight over to me and took my hand and said:

"So YOU are the artist RomTom! Tell me,

Exactly WHAT does a woman have to do

To be photographed by you?"

I about fainted.

Here you are laying on the hand-embroidered

Antique ceremonial marriage robe

The feather is in your gold ring piercing...

You radiate diversity and beauty and honor...

You speak for sacred truth my young beautiful friend

I am so honored to make your acquaintance

And to be your photographer...

There is a dragon in my heart

Her breath is perfumed fire and sweet thick wine of plums

Silk Her skin of mountains, rivers, seas

More precious than gold and rubies

When she dancing in the sunrise comes

Le sacre coeur le chatelaine d'art