the painting
people from all around the world travel to see the painting. once they arrive in the large white room, they realize that the art can’t actually be seen. people’s accounts weren’t an exaggeration, the painting is like the sun, too powerful to be looked at directly. the really determined can only catch a brief glimpse of it.
with their eyes closed visitors are drawn nearer by the painting. it examines them. visitors feel this as a gentle breeze. then the force coming from the art hung on the wall begins shaking them, the subatomic particles. This might not be outwardly apparent but the person in front of the painting is undeniably feeling an otherworldly vibration. some do fall to their knees, puke, or weep. it’s said that the painting is healing them.
i traveled here not because i have some big trauma. just a small pain that’s been with me for half my life. the painting draws me close to it. standing 5 feet away from it, gives it the perfect strength to work on me. it finds the source of pain, turns me around. i begin to feel the pain in my back dissolve, and in turn, the painting fills my body with bliss. i completely let go. with my back to it i'm able to open my eyes. the artist is standing across the room, so glad to see her work appreciated and used. her work isn’t complete. “let’s go out it’s a beautiful day” she says. we step out into the garden and it is beautiful. “i didn’t notice it being this beautiful on my way here”. she smiles.
as we get further away from the room my connection with the painting isn’t dropping, in fact, it’s continuing to strengthen. she doesn’t say anything but i understand this is the part where we cuddle in the grass, under the tree. once the painting has taken away the pain, she embraces the visitors to help them integrate and remember what it felt being wholeheartedly safe.
as i sit here telling you this i remember what it felt like. even up here on the plane ride back, my connection to the painting doesn't fade. i still feel its force. it’s as if distance must be traveled to initiate the connection but after that, distance nor time can wipe away the effect. i believe the bond gets stronger with distance and time.