Reverence

Amy Sherald
Has the positive force
Of her negative capacity

Plenitude
Of vast inner emptiness 
That makes space and place

For the spirits 
Of the larger than life
Inhabitants of her linens

Commissioned
To question us with
Their steady gaze

With the tenderness
And tenacity of their hands
At the ready 

They want to know us
They want to show us
Exchange  changes

Amy is present
As creative absence
That makes way

For new birth
Between seers and seen
Between pain and paint

In which is 
The quiet joy 
Of resilient reverence