Inspired by "The Swing", a Rococo painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard   The rectangular gold clock does not tick anymore. Its hands remain one up, one down. Twelve thirty. Is it night or day? Must be midday for the painting pictured on the clock is of a pink poofy-dressed woman on a swing. She ruffles the wind created as she soars forward. Her summer hat catches the breeze. Two white-wigged male companions and three marble cherubs watch her, enthralled. Bare legs peek out, amazed to be so free. A high-heeled shoe wings its way skyward. Time stands still. © by Marilyn Zelke Windau. Used with the author’s permission.

Marilyn Zelke Windau, of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, started writing poems at age thirteen. A former art teacher, she has published five books: Adventures in Paradise, Momentary Ordinary, Owning Shadows, Hiccups Haunt Wilson Avenue, and Beneath The Southern Crux, and her award-winning work can be found in many journals and anthologies. Marilyn includes her maiden name to honor her father, who was also a writer. When she's not writing, Marilyn works at restoring her 1891 house and creates mosaics, paintings, and books made with tea papers. A Master Gardener volunteer and an art center docent, she is married to a retired environmental engineer, has three daughters, and three grandchildren.