At Work

Picasso painted me ugly.
Two lips slung over a rusted hanger.
One eyebrow burnt for attention's sake.
Let's tell Grandma how much fun we had today.
Picasso is still at work.

Monet swallowed your stupidity.
Five teeth missing and nary a barbed retort to bend.
One un-photographed smile was left behind.
Let's tell Grandpa his prized lilacs are in mourning.
Monet is still at work.

Seurat poked your larynx.
The roses in your hands may be the thorns in your side.
Ivy and Sumac spice the teas I serve the unfortunates.
Let's tell Auntie June her parasol spikes are dull and snapped.
Seurat is still at work.

O'Keefe smears one simply.
Stamens and pistils shoot the misanthropes dead.
A spare will be guarded for the one's I've missed.
Let's tell Uncle Ed the lessons you've learned today.
O'Keefe is still at work.

DaVinci played baccarat with Stalin.
Swelled hands made it difficult to paint distinctly.
Dirty tongues are as useful as frayed dishrags. 
Let's tell no one anything.
Let's tell no one nothing.
(naughty, bastard boy - 

using double negatives in one sentence).

Pay one tuppence to the tillerman
and remind the collected town criers -
I'm at work.

We're all
at Work.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Babcock Avatar
November 30, 2012 at 8:22 AM
An awesome write on this gem of a poem. love phyl soup mail
Haick Avatar
February 5, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Hi John, why did you leave out Vincent ??? one of my favs. I'd love to read. Perhaps he's not one of your favs. Regardless, this deep, emotional write has me in awe and I have to go read a couple more before I sign off. : ) Always, Annalise
Sweetheart Avatar
January 1, 2011 at 4:55 PM
John this is the most beautiful and awesome work of yours I have read that has affected me so deeply luv.. amazing every verse.. awesome every thought.. energetic every line... expressive every emotion... powerful the entire piece... creative .. without a doubt my friend.. making it a favorite tonight on the first day of 2011 .. with luv..
Onclaud Avatar
January 1, 2011 at 1:54 AM
cubism at work as well, john... what would have freida kahlo and andy warhol done?? fascinating! :) nette
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