Poof!

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is poof! “Poof!” was drawn on a piece of scrap paper with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil and then inked in with my Gel-Roller.

I like the word poof. It’s a sound that signifies magic. It's the sound of something disappearing.

There’s a slice of cake in front of you, then “POOF!” It’s gone!

You’re in love, then “POOF!” She’s gone!

It feels like you’ll never get over this, then “POOF!” The hurt’s gone.

Some years back I was on the phone with Kiari, the woman I married, we had been separated for a few months and I was having a hard time getting over her. Kiari, who is one of the smartest people on the planet, (Hey, I can pick em. I just can’t keep em.) gave me some advice. Our conversation went something like this;

Me: I just can’t figure out how to let go.

Her: Grab a pen. I going to tell you a secret.

Me: All right, I have a pen.

Her: I’m going to tell you the secret to letting go. Starting with your palm up, I want you to make a fist around the pen and squeeze it as tight as you can.

Me: Doing it.

Her: Now, Turn your fist over and hold it out in front of you.

Me: OK.

Her: Now, LET GO!

I did let go and the pen hit the floor. At that moment I was also struck with an epiphany. All I had to do was choose to let it go.

I’ve tried this exercise several times now while thinking of Gorky and the pen hasn’t hit the floor yet.

Stupid fucking pen.

Has your pen hit the floor yet? Has you left any love?