Sculptures In the Desert

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His life’s creations in the desert rise 
Magnificently over sage and sand,
Each one beyond the reach of human eyes,
In lonely, quiet vigil does it stand.
But why must he create his sculptures here 
Seen only by the cactus, snakes, and sun?
The answer in his younger days seemed clear,
In latter years that logic comes undone.
“Art justifies itself”, or so he’d say
“I need no human praise to do my best”;
He now believes art should be on display
That others’ lives might be enriched and blest. 
     So now he humbly builds his statues nearer,
     And hopes they’ll serve as prism, lens, and mirror.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



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Date: 8/11/2020 10:44:00 AM
This had such an alluring mystic pull, I will have to check out that link now, thanks for sharing (and recommending) this!
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John Watt
Date: 8/11/2020 12:49:00 PM
You're welcome, Michelle, and thank you for the visit!
Date: 3/8/2020 1:28:00 PM
this one is so interesting. I thought maybe it was about God but is there some guy who does art out in the desert. One i Had not seen yet and I see a belated congrats is in order. CONGRATS! (oh, I just read below that there is a place and a person who has sculptures there!)
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John Watt
Date: 8/12/2020 8:40:00 AM
Yes, and I finally was able to add a picture of one of his desert sculptures. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
Date: 12/5/2018 10:28:00 PM
Just an elegant sonnet sculptured with exactly the right words. Taking us on a journey and teaching us a long the way. Delighted that you shared this, love the weave and rhythm. Just a winner.
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Date: 10/2/2016 7:25:00 PM
Art, in any form, is meant to be shared, John, the same way nature shares her beauty with us. A wonderfully uplifting Sonnet. Congrats on your fine placement in the contest. Sandra
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John Watt
Date: 8/12/2020 8:40:00 AM
Thank you for the affirmation, Sandra.
Date: 10/2/2016 11:09:00 AM
Congrats on a fine win John
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John Watt
Date: 8/12/2020 8:40:00 AM
Thank you, Joseph.
Date: 10/2/2016 10:26:00 AM
loved this sonnet John :) Congratulations on your placement :)-luloo
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John Watt
Date: 8/12/2020 8:40:00 AM
Thank you, Lu Loo.
Date: 10/2/2016 8:39:00 AM
Glad to reread this beautiful sonnet once again:) congratulations on your win:) I did check out the desert sculptures and they sure are amazing:)
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John Watt
Date: 8/12/2020 8:41:00 AM
Thank you, Jo. Glad you got to see the pictures.
Date: 7/2/2016 5:38:00 PM
Statue's sculpted in silence and solace...like our poetry...well done John...god bless...^WW^
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John Watt
Date: 8/12/2020 8:41:00 AM
Thanks, Wingman.
Date: 6/24/2016 3:57:00 PM
A wonderful sonnet to read, John. I can imagine him creating those obscure statues in the desert I my mind's eye!
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John Watt
Date: 8/12/2020 8:41:00 AM
Thank you, Laura.
Date: 6/22/2016 4:32:00 AM
Wow! Your subtle imageries are really cool:) I could never have made out the true meaning if not for your reply to Christine:) You excel:)
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John Watt
Date: 6/22/2016 3:18:00 PM
Jo, thanks for the visit and the kind reply. If you get a chance to visit Borrego Springs in Southern California, check out the desert sculptures (Pix: http://www.desertusa.com/borrego/bs-art.html). They are these amazing metal sculptures that hardly anybody knows about. They inspired this sonnet.
Date: 6/21/2016 9:32:00 PM
Kinda reminds me of how I kept my poetry to myself. Never letting anyone else read it. I enjoyed reading this. :)
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John Watt
Date: 6/21/2016 10:08:00 PM
Christine, that's exactly what this was about; my being too shy to share my poems. So glad you picked up on that. Thanks for the read and the reply ~ John
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