my mother used to paint
cutouts, clippings,
computer print outs
scattered all over the living room table and couch
she'd stare for hours after smoking a bowl
deciding which picture to use for inspiration
to self teach her hand to move like
monet, picasso or van gogh
she made herself an artist
infusing styles of the masters
in with her own
but never realized the beauty of her work
my mother used to paint.