Makari Shorts

The Silence After Artist

“I have studied mathematics and engineering five times, and still I do not call myself an engineer or a mathematician,” I thought.

A voice answered in a rush.

“That’s because you aren’t one.”

The words struck the air and held.

Then I pushed back. Argued, even.

“I call myself an artist. I never studied art. I call myself an artist.”

I listened to myself say it.

“Am I an artist?”

Silence.

Complete silence.

No answer.

I waited.

Wanting.

Nothing.

The room seemed to widen around it.

The question stood there, bright and waiting.

I could feel the silence opening space inside me.

Then another thought came, quiet and warm as a hand at my back:

“I am so glad I decided to start putting pen to paper.”

I sat up in bed, settled my notebook in my lap, uncapped my pen, and let the silence come with me.

M⟲