Child & Solomon – February 2026

Kyle Solomon and Anna Child traded art and words. Anna shared this work, titled “The Garden Steps,” with Kyle:

In response, Kyle wrote this poem:

Looking up from the landing

of the garden steps
I spot a calico meandering
through the Goldenrod.

I wanted to go the way of that
question-mark-cat-tail and
vault over the barrier, instead, I
embrace the dividing line.

I stand sentry, like a stone lion,
shading the railing from the rain.
The mouser rebounds after
the Timberdoodles and
scratches at the Marigolds.
Its un-obvious and playful path
percolating like amber sap
down the craggy face of
a Yellow Maple.

One day, I’ll shed this
disjointed jacket and
exchange it for mitts and fur and
a day to zig-zag and zoomie like
some strange Chimera through those
leaf-strown slopes.

One day, I’ll no longer be
a remainder and
my skin will sheen like
panther fur spread out and
stretched over
the satin of the moon.

* * * * *

Kyle shared this poem with Anna:

The fluid which we breathe

A swan is taking off
from my lungs.
My mouth the spray of water
as a wing-tipped waterfowl
takes flight.
There is a waterfall
within me,
sonorous as the snow
blustering off a mountain’s cowlick.
My throat is a hollow tree
that looks like a cathedral
full of gemmed insects
singing hymnals.
You hear it, don’t you?
If you listen,
you will.

In response, Anna made this image, titled “Morning Song”: