Painted by a Friend

A welcoming face smiles in greeting, 

then sets in concentration 

as colorful strands  

cascade down her face –

a painter 

painted in cool colors

that sing of soft sands

and calming waves

memories

painted in a face 

of contagious laughter 

and words like warm hugs

the scraping of hand on canvas 

erases the serious notes 

shifting them to a joyful melody 

that fills my heart