Core
16 x 20"
Acrylic on canvas

Spared all consequence
Of youthful indiscretions
Oft forgotten in
the maelstrom of repressions
True, a bone broken still hurts
But true also, it could be worse
A rejected view, that
And each time presented, I spat
For pain long endured
Has a curious effect
creating even in the best
A profound defect
Of ungraciousness
Disdainfulness
Loss of perspective
Severed from collective
And so self-preservation
Without reservation
replaces the better side
like the rising tide
but given time
the moon of despair passes
the poison recedes
and with it, the selfish need
to reject the source
of all things
good and bad
that’s all we have.
(5/12/10)

It Is, It Is Not
20 x 16"
Acrylic on canvas

Metamorphosis

Heartbeat

The vent is sealed
Cemented over, burned, scarred
Anger has no place here now
Dangerous emotion, explosive, hard
Again I’m different
And the standard branded on my skin
Is mine alone
Acceptable to others but for me a sin
I’m a horse
Work until done or dead
Eat my grain and be glad
Fight and take a bullet in the head
I’m a horse
All saddle and yoke
Ride, pull, or die
No complaint for the spur’s bloody poke
I’m a horse
Eat my hay and be glad
Don’t lay down
Don’t get mad.
(3/9/10)

That’s Why Babies Cry

Thrust out
Cold, wet
No more quiet contemplation
Enter into complication
Where was I before?
Somehow they’ve closed the door
And now I’m faced with death
From the moment of my first breath
Later is mystery
Now becomes history
I hurt because I live
And now you ask me to give
To become more
But what for?
Blessed or damned
I am.
(3/2/10)