Tom Painting

Formative Years

My father had a beautiful voice. I know this because of the one time I came upon him unguarded and heard him singing You’ll Never Walk Alone. Planting narcissus in the backyard of the house we rented, he was on his knees with his back to me. I crept up thinking to give him a hug. He turned and thrust out his hand to shake mine. This, his way. Then, and with downcast eyes, he drew my attention to the hole and instructed me how to plant a flower bulb right end up.

reality check
composing myself
a list of questions

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About the Author

Tom Painting teaches junior high humanities at The Paideia School in Atlanta, Georgia. He facilitates a student bird club and is an associate editor for The Heron’s Nest.

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