In The Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art
by Nick Vagnoni

I think of my eyes taking in
the melted, softened light
from the skylight's smoked glass,
coupled with the cold halogen
as it bounces, gently brushes,
excuses itself and begs pardon
for bumping into Frederick Church's " Niagara ."

The light makes its way
between my eyelashes
to my retina
as if entering a foreign
yet comfortable room whose nature
is quelled by some gentle and familiar smell.

I sit on this worn gallery bench,
listening to the man behind me
clack a lozenge against his teeth.

My retina chews the light back,
incising, as my tongue begins
to suck on and swallow
the orange fog of "The Andes of Ecuador,"
licking, turning over, tossing the image around
like hard candy, still glowing
in the darkness of my mouth.

Born and raised in Key West, Florida, Nick Vagnoni came to New College in Fall of 2000. His interests include creative writing, Caribbean literature and gastronomy.