As a photographer & artist, I draw inspiration all across the board. Books, movies, mixed media, journalism, short stories, poetry, dance, you name it. That’s a big reason of why I’m active over at HitRecord, a collaborative community of artists.

Tom Macarte is one of my favorites. His poems dance & flow into my brain in a way other poems just don’t.  I love the way his work tell vibrant stories, but leave room for my imagination.

I was SO HAPPY to find out that Tom had written a piece inspired by one of my favorite photos I took last winter. I cannot describe how much I love this poem & I love how I inspire him & he inspires me. It’s an awesome inspiration circle. It’s so flattering to have an artist inspired by my work. Best compliment ever.

With Tom’s permission, I’ve posted his poem along with my photo. Please, please enjoy it. And go follow TOM MACARTE on Twitter to get updates on his work. Thanks :)

sunflare winter photoshoot knoxville tennessee

Nowhere, TN by Tom Macarte

Your lens flared when
you photographed her,
the part-circles of rainbow

offsetting the angles
of her face in profile.

That’s how I remember her,
face to the sun, smiling,
eyes closed like she’s kissing the light
softened by those trees behind her.

Where were those woods? We drove
an hour through cornfields to get
to that spot: nowhere, Tennessee.

It was always good
to get out of the city.

You two did that every Sunday you had
off work, in your car with your camera
on your lap. I went with you, when I could.

This was all before
she got married.

Was I there then, the time this photo was taken?
She looks so peaceful that it makes me hope

I was there,
out of shot.

———–

P.S. I can’t say enough good things about Hitrecord. If you love making art or admiring it, get your butt over there right now.