IT’S A KIND OF LOVE SONG, 2018 [for you, N]

I completed this painting this morning.

Well, it’s more of a drawing in paint than a “painting” in the conventional sense of the word.

Seen in entirety, and in the light of the world rather than a screen, it is delicate and quiet, just like my feelings about this beautiful moment in time are. It’s taken me two years to make a bit of work that fit the feelings I have for this, that suits the memory.

The words go like this:

When we stand

together

your hips

meeting mine

my fingertips gently

in the groove your spine makes

your hands flat

at the small of my back

when we stand up like that

together in the sunshine

it draws everything that’s important

between our two bodies close

it’s a kind of love song.

I’ve used the words “it’s a kind of love song” before. In an artwork for my mother, as the title of the show I did for her. In that artwork, the words had so much sadness wrapped up in them, because jesus christ when someone is dying you feel your love for them like a song but equally keenly feel the loss so dark and heavy.

This time, in this artwork, the words are light and gentle because standing in that sunshine with him that particular day was just one of those moments I don’t think I’ll ever forget it was so beautiful. Thanks, N, for those years we had. I don’t miss you anymore but damn the memories are good.