An Art To Live

Like many of my poems, this was also a farewell piece of advice. It was written long before The Canvas, but is similar in theme. It is a little more cynical though. 'Tis an art to live For the portrait of one's life Is not easy to draw. Your choice of canvas You must discern And the lens of subtlety Prudently learn The depths of emotion You must tint and shade Its vibrant colours Passionately grade The people around You must artfully stroke And in the correct oils Your brushes soak Traces of reality With skill, reflect Small strokes of meaning At your peril, neglect The vagaries of situations With deliberation, you paint Leave no negligent smudges That, could, your canvas taint Yet, expect no praise From all around And take the stings Of criticism as they abound For... 'Tis an art to live And the portrait of one's life Is not easy to draw.