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It was one of my happy places, a refuge from reality. The Art Gallery of New South Wales had such a presence, and as I approached the entrance I could feel my spirits lift.

Should I start with my old favourites, or try one of the new exhibitions? Ahead of me was a conga line of school kids, jostling each other as they were herded towards the main gallery. I detoured left, and within moments a sense of calm claimed me as I walked into the small exhibit space.

Bright scenes of harbours etched with golden light, women with almond-shaped eyes, their dresses marked with beautifully intricate patterns. But what held me fast to the spot was a pair of pomegranates, blood-red and glowing in the light.

This was a prompt at my writing group. This is a fictional painting, but there is a link to ‘Scribble rock pomegranates’ by Janet Dawson on the Art Gallery of NSW website here.

Photo: pomegranates spotted in a Canberra garden