birds as choir = harmony with nature

Ars Poetica is Latin for "the art of poetry," and refers to poems written about poetry itself, or the poet as artist. There is a long history of this type of poem: link to article on this form

Counting as if to start the song.

Scales - double meaning! Could be musical scales, but also refer to the fish (scales) they are trying to lure.

![Image of a Cove] (https://i.imgur.com/CKGZqGp.jpeg) Image of a Cove

What might a "generative space" be, for a Black writer in America?

This line echoes the words he used earlier to describe the "smiles" and the relational dynamic of the women in the book group. It also serves to emphasize Laymon's growing sense of perspective and insight on his writing.

These sentences contain many of the central ideas of the article in a nutshell. Laymon goes on to explore ideas of friendship (or its lack), the possibilities of forging friendships through reading, and the relationships he wishes to forge with his readers and larger audience.