Now Nebula

Now Nebula

by Michelle Koubek

It starts as an idea,

a splash of bright red paint in the dark,

illuminating unseen paths

and drawing up their dust.

A splattering of elements,

a blend of red into pink,

splitting and converging as the paintbrush leads,

so an idea becomes many thoughts.

The artist has no name,

the muses are Procyon, Rigel, Betelgeuse,

while the medium is time and pressure,

applied in multiple coats.

Color in empty space

that is only barren if one only sees light,

the energy of the shadows,

the ridges of the canvas shaping the scene,

until the idea sets, dry to the touch,

and we are left with thousands of new, glowing dreams.