My Son, Life Is Beautiful

Thomas Hemminger

March 12, 2023

I unexpectedly slipped into a painting, Thomas. 

You must come back and see it with me. 

He made it such a lovely day, 

I couldn’t help myself. 

Monet was calling to me through his cobalt blue sky,

and the way he made those lead white clouds float! 

The light of his chrome yellow

danced on the masts and folded mainsails.

He made the wind move so gently

that time seemed lulled to sleep,

but for the gentle chop on the water.

You would have loved

his two vermillion red sloops

resting on the river surface,

like proud flames in a cool scene. 

I could sense a whole other world

where fishes splash, and frogs play hide-and-seek,

under the emerald green watergrass

growing along the banks of the Seine. 

My darling boy,

next time we’ll go together, 

and let Monet remind us 

that life is beautiful. 

“Red Boats at Argenteuil”1875 - by Claude Monet

Thomas Hemminger is an elementary music teacher living in Dallas, Texas. His personal hero is Mr. Fred Rogers, the creator of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Through America’s favorite “neighbor,” Thomas learned the importance of loving others and giving them their own space and grace to grow.