These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Darkness Falls

Brightest life of gifted boy,
paintings with no match,
many years of often Joy,
lived with great dispatch.

When one day the lights went out,
creations durst not made.
Agony inside would shout,
"A stony path's now laid!"

When Depression's months laid spent,
Courage found its voice,
"I've no eyes for paintings' bent,
but I to live have choice!"

"If my wife doth give me aid,
then paintings I'll produce.
They're not by sight, but never staid.
No whit shall I reduce!"

He tried each day to paint anew,
but something real was lost.
He felt his life must be quite through,
but restorations cost.

Jewelry could be made by hand
with eyes, that see no thing.
'Tis true another helps his plan
of color threads, that sing.

To tie these knots 'round metal shapes,
to make the bracelets rare,
as grouping knots of threaded "grapes"
with friends these gifts to share.

Experience tells me not long hence,
his painting he may do
with Hope that leads, no spared expense,
the world to bless anew.

by Jay O’Toole
on October 27th, 2025