The Artist

Leonardo, Monet and Picasso
dazzle in their gilded frames -
even van Gogh with bandaged ear 
wears coat and hat,
but he walks in with rumpled shirt 
and Van de Graaff hair, 
salted down to broad shoulders.
He has invited us to celebrate 
the opening of the show,
trusting the jury and judge in us 
will give way 
to a different point of view.

There is no judgment of us 
who, for want of happiness, 
fill life with work 
and miles on the road.
His art is an invitation
to fill our work with life,
to seize the view
to which it points.

Beneath that cloak of Sisyphus
he has caught a glimpse, a flash
of god like brilliance. 
The urge to create lurks,
locked, looking for a handle,
a door, a way out.  He is grateful
for a window in.

He talks about the baseball legend 
whose life he framed in a moment,
now displayed under lights 
and penetrating eyes.
Another photo of his 
hangs hidden in a hall,
but he neglects to herald 
the moment there, though no less 
wondrous in expression
of that elusive passion 
burning in us all
and waiting 
to be captured
on a wall.

Copyright © Greg Hladky | Year Posted 2020

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