Saved by the Queen

by Linda Laino

Torsten Dederichs

Yesterday I felt the kind of persistent longing that is like

waiting for a late bus or one that never

arrives and you are left to walk alone in the heat or

the dark or the rain or whatever feels like your current poison

But today I sit in the winter sun and a

little girl wearing pink hollywood sunglasses and a flower crown gives

me her best queen’s wave as she passes and I think:

There’s a parade coming

There’s a parade!

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Linda Laino is an artist, writer and teacher who has been making art in one form or another for over 35 years. Holding an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, she enjoys playing with words as much as form and color. Since 2012, she has resided in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where the surreal atmosphere and sensuous colors have wormed their way into her paintings. The last few years have found her making art at residencies around the world, most recently in Spain and France. Finding beautiful things on the ground is a favorite pastime. Her art can be seen at www.lindalaino.com. Some of her essays and poetry can be found on The New Engagement, Sheila-Na-Gig Journal, Sonder Midwest, 82 Review, Life In 10 Minutes and her blog, wordsandpictures.lindalaino.com.