She shuffles along
the mud-streaked wood floor
Wheezes
punctuate the forward push
of each foot.

Sigh

She cautiously lowers herself onto the bench.

Slouched
against the wall

she patiently waits
amid the whirlwind of art students coming and going.

She catches her breath.

A smile slowly spreads
as she admires the field of golden sunflowers
captured forever on painted canvas

by her own
trembling
hand.