Novak & Goodwin — May 2026

Juliette Goodwin and Rachel M. Novak traded art and words. Juliette shared this image, titled “Autumn Lichen,” with Rachel:

In response, Rachel wrote this poem:

Lichen (flesh of the forest)

Who is she, this maiden form I see?
Her delicate beauty silently mystifying me.
Is it mother nature who curtseys within,
a mossy, medicinal, earth-toned skin?
With seafoam hues, soft greens, cool blues,
a miniature world, lush landscape; eutopias kin.
Flakes of crimson and umber,
effortlessly restoring my sense of wonder.
Creeping on riverside rocks,
Climbing the Ponderosa Pine and old Oak trees,
beguiling balance symbiotically achieved.
Complexity in function, incalculable worth,
ecosystem of pinecones hopes
and forest floor dreams,
minute treasures stretching the earth.
Purest of air we receive, exhaling serves as sweet praise,
A powdery, patchy blanket of whimsy.
She’s natures beautiful dancer, as well as the stage.

* * * * *

Rachel shared this poem with Juliette:

The Blue Hens First Born

Pupils of coal, 
windows to her soul, 
burn hotter than the blue core of a fire.
Her entire being is fueled by an otherworldly, yet very real desire.

Holding to a steady, continuous canter, 
it seems since long before she even had legs.
She has built endurance, muscles and pride with every intentional,
and accidental step along her way. 

She has crossed through pastures of plenty
and fallen deep into valleys of want. 
She has met souls that look right through her,
the very same ones that eventually move on.
She has been joined by blue skies and rain clouds, 
as well as rivers that ramble. 
She has carried a burden of outlandish weight,
due to the making of others mistakes,
all the while keeping her own life from falling to shambles.

Rising above adversity. 
wonder and grace are worn bravely as her bridle. 
She has developed a resilience and relentlessness
essential for her survival. 

Her heart has carefully appointed chambers,
for every character she meets.
Acting as a conduit for connection, 
each brings her story one page closer to complete.

Her cool, Azul skin with its welcoming glow,
sits crowned in locks of Amarillo light.
She is a star. 
Blazing with passion & purpose, 
in what seems like a 
twisting and turning, laboring,
labyrinth of night.

In response, Juliette made this image, titled “Helicopter Season”:

Note: This piece was created on vellum, which is like a thick tracing paper. The top photo of the piece is backlit, taken on a windowsill with the sun shining through like stained glass. The image at the bottom is front-lit, as one would see the work hanging on a wall.