Anyone in or planning to be in the Taos, New Mexico area should consider dropping in on an ekphrastic event happening on Friday, July 18, 2008, at The RANE Gallery, 214 Ledoux Street in Taos. Its aim is to launch a book of poems written in response to paintings by the late Bill Rane, entitled The Master’s Hand. Each poem accompanies a full color reproduction of the painting it was written in response to (as one of the poets included, I can tell you that Bill Rane’s paintings—inhabiting as they do a space where myth and dream move with a rich visual rhythm—are powerful and inspiring things). Many of the poets whose work appears in the book will be signing copies at 6:00 p.m., with readings to follow at 7:00 p.m. For more information, email Andrea Watson at watsontaos@gmail.com.