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Tom Kelly, Artist

By Justin O’Brien

One might be forgiven to say
he resembled a garden gnome,
with a nose craggy as a Norwegian fjord,
a laugh like a Manx leprechaun, and Brewery Creek
cheeks reddened by wind and good cheer —
though also from a bit of paint from absently 
rubbing his nose while adding
to his night-time farmscape
a giant, heart-shaped strawberry 
on which he and Kathie 
will sit holding hands
watching the moon
and stars
forever. 

Mineral Point artist Tom Kelly passed away in June. To learn more about Tom, see www.gorgenfh.com/obituaries/Thomas-Kelly-36. Many thanks to Justin O’Brien for sharing Tom’s painting, “This Little Heart of Mine,” which inspired Justin’s poem.