Best Exhibitions Poems
So many weep from pleasure or from pain
and raise their invocations to the sky.
I watch them from the corner of my eye.
Their exhibitions I would likely feign
to match expression shown when masses cry.
My eyes, instead, might blur. I gasp or sigh,
and sometimes I despond when under strain.
But rarely am I vassal to the guilt
that others I’ve observed are prone to claim.
Of slower-melting metal I was built.
By keeping cool, I suffer less from shame
than those who feel too much. They often wilt.
A gift or curse? I rarely feel to blame.
For Frank Herrera's WHAT MIGHT THEY FIND THERE
(I've noticed I do not suffer so much from feelings of guilt as some of my friends do. I think it has to do with basic personality types)
Categories:
exhibitions, perspective,
Form:
Sonnet
Jean would go with me
to Exhibitions in halls.
Our passion was factories
in photos a-sheen.
Glossy factories
with no people outside or in,
but gleaming machines
in factories - a sheen.
Tall chimneys,
and sheer entrances.
A weekend, surely, for
machines, they were still.
Jean would go with me,
talking loudly as usual,
but I would say "Hush,
here are factories a-sheen."
-------------------------------
11/8/2016
Contest - Practiced Passion
Sponsor - Frank Herrera
4th place win
Categories:
exhibitions, passion,
Form:
Light Verse
Earth trots
Behind the meandering
Leashed by their anxieties
And we in silence
Cannot tell of our perplexities
This age
Is too politically correct
And will not stand
Such truths
There is no lattitude for correction
No urgency
To mend fences
'Fore the frivolous forays of destruction
The seeming acquisition of intellect
Is nothing more than brawn of tongue
Defending the flimsy vulnerabilities
Of hoisted egos
A status quo of exhibitions
The panting tongue
Exalting empty ambition
Tempestuous slobbering
It is such a sensitive subject
Our fragile self esteem
And the earth
At dog school.
Categories:
exhibitions, political
Form:
Free verse
Vultures on the wing high up in the sky
Careen in flight as they go sailing by
Tracing out patterns of vanishing lines
As they create most exquisite designs
Other birds like eagles, gulls and falcons
Also engage in such exhibitions
Viewing them gives a feeling of freedom
That transcends daily life's din and humdrum
With wings outstretched they effortlessly ride
Rising air currents that support their glide
With angled wings they dip down and then rise
Navigating their way up in the skies
In total mastery of flight they appear
Cavorting and floating up in the air
With the gracefulness of their flight on high
They are true avian sailors in the sky
Since I was a child, I have always admired the effortless gliding of vultures up in the sky.
Among other gliding birds listed are albatross, eagle, condor, stork, frigatebird and seagull.
It is a truly delightful to watch the marvellous gliding action of these birds way up in the sky as they ride the air currents.
This poem is dedicated to them: the genuine avian sailors in the sky.
(I have made some adjustments to the original to include some other gliding birds in the body of the piece).
Categories:
exhibitions, bird, flying, nature, sky,
Form:
Quatrain
"All art is erotic", quote from Gustav Klimt
The Kiss... Gustav Klimt
Son of a Bohemian gold engraver
Childhood marked by poverty
Influenced by Japanese art
Developed his talent early in life
Created his own style like no other
Took symbolism and eroticism to new heights
Glorifying the female body
Evocatively exotic and erotic
Lacquering it with gold leaf
Controversial during his lifetime
Now on display in Vienna
Those not destroyed during the war
Traveling in world exhibitions
Or sold for multi millions to art collectors
Unfinished paintings when he died
World-wide fame celebrated anniversary
One hundred and fifty years
Death and Life
A golden tribute to Klimt
AP: Honorable Mention 2021, Honorable Mention 2020, Honorable Mention 2020, Honorable Mention 2020
Submitted on July 25, 2018 for STANDARD CONTEST NO.105 sponsored by BRIAN STRAND
and on November 14, 2017 for contest KLIMT sponsored by ANTHONY SLAUSEN
Categories:
exhibitions, art, beauty, celebrity, culture,
Form:
Free verse
Das Don doth debilitate democracy
driving a collateral wedge
deliberately dividing differences
collaborating, collapsing, and collaring
disparity amidst ever
increasing homogenization
extant within contiguous United States
across world wide web for that matter
attested by increased
spike among multiracial
amalgamated enclaves, individuals mixing,
where preponderance of melanin
generally affecting predominance
regarding increasing swarthy
naturally copper toned skin
across vast majority of heavily
Caucasian populated areas predicted
to become minority
according new statistics
located at webpage
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/
the-avenue/2018/03/14/
the-us-will-become-minority-
white-in-2045-census-projects/
predict the nation will become
“minority white” in 2045
which genetic assimilation
also harken better angels
among us to herald
interfaith marriage represent
according to hyperlink-
https://www.npr.org/
2013/04/10/176802652/
til-faith-do-us-part-
the-price-of-interfaith-marriage
close to half of all marriages
in this country over the past 10 years
(this cited for the year 2013,
which mostly increased since).
No doubt, the commander in chief
buzzfeeds into this inexorable trend
disquieting, horrifying, mortifying...
especially white supremacists
decrying, lamenting, threatening...
innocents abroad, and/or naturalized citizens
taking cruel dull liver re: to heart
acrimonious, caluminous, jealous, ferocious...
hazarding, kindling, tweeting
inevitable demographic transition overtaking
North America, and teeming masses
(particularly whose skin color,
perhaps fifty shades of brown,
albeit I hereby posit as
forthcoming second, yet
nonpareil gilded bronze age).
Relatively insignificant disparity
(within schema, asper genus/ species
*****sapiens per se)
people comprise greater similarity,
versus starkly disparate contrasts
between each other,
nonetheless oh bomb men able
enthuses, maximizes, trumpets...
every opportunity to spark
altercations, conflagrations, exhibitions...
animals veritably tearing each other
satiating human blood lust,
where coordination, integration, union...
welcoming brother/sisterhood, tolerance,
versus filleting, fomenting fracturing
mosaic boosts ego
inherent narcissistic tribalism!
Categories:
exhibitions, america, conflict, grief, howl,
Form:
Political Verse
they say that
the traveling carnival
will visit our town soon
whether the weather
has been lately
somehow filled with gloom
and I'm just lurking
by the railway tracks
waiting for the ghostly train
and feel in my bones
that something wicked
is on it's sinister way
buy the ticket,
take the ride!
shout the jolly jesters
through danse macabre
balloons and darts
to the house of wacky waxworks
the imaginarium
lures everyone in
to explore the forbidden
fantasies of lust
with unknown consequences
something's just wrong
with this carnival of rust
what about the somber freakshow
the panopticon
the maze of terrors
thrills and spills
skeletal knife throwers
bizarre exhibitions
dark amusements
or a carousel that kills
beware the carnivores
of the eerie carnival
don't go there when it arrives
beware the devilish attractions
don't believe
the bait of fun times
Categories:
exhibitions, dark, evil, fun, horror,
Form:
Rhyme
It is not because I chose this
In deed it was your breath and kiss,
Which wander’d through protective fences,
Guarding me from love’s pretenses.
I was a hurt flower,
Nestled in a tower,
Not ready for anything deep,
Vaulted instead in earthly sleep.
In small traces you opened a door,
Reaching in, you placed a seed in my core.
From sediments below a tree of life did grow,
A story rose, a light I came to know.
For she whose faith proved to be my mate,
It never came too late.
Leading the way, my heart from doubt,
Feeling finally what love is about,
A path appeared before my eyes,
Calling, calling, forget past lies.
The moment my soul kneeled,
Our future in absolute blood was sealed,
Which is to say,
By stroke of metaphorical play,
That the water of life is to be found,
Not under our feet in the ground,
But in the words we commit to,
There, and only there, is the mighty clue
....
The topos of life is layered,
In themes beyond the mighty herd,
Whose role is to keep the jungle order,
A dull knife wedged upon nature’s border:
To keep the words away,
Whose birth would surely slay,
The exhibitions of felt thought!
By which the icy laws have taught:
Out of nothing can not come something more.
A mighty wrong equation, that’s for sure.
Categories:
exhibitions, love,
Form:
Free verse
"Small Wars in Paradise"
A small war in paradise
where the walls
are dripping
hearts pinned
with golden words
A ghost behind
the eyes of a Fate
shines a light
on the self-righteous
misinformed deux Moirai,
advocatus diaboli -
what remains,
The Devil’s Advocates
blinded in the eye
the dull intentioned
Assizes
Intervention
comes at a small cost
for the Soul
they think is lost
Tomorrow always delivers,
The Goods.
Small wars in Paradise
where sharp swords cut
blunt forked tongues
beating tattoos in time
to a betrayal of trust
a banshee assassin
it’s a relative choice
Won
Lost
A ghost behind the eyes
haunts the hallowed halls
of manipulative minds
holding black diamonds and spades
digging what was, is now dust
in both hands
bloodied,
murdering the past
one day at a time
slowly smiling
holding the crass dead
in a deep holed heart
now becomes the
smoking refined blunderbust
executing sentences
orchestral manouvres
in a dark knight mind
a banshee assassin
it’s a relative choice
The Woman Won
The Past Lost
all in good time...
(LadyLabyrinth / 2020)
"Tomorrow" / Ozzy Osbourne, Ozzmosis
https://youtu.be/isnqz-aJe4c
https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/minor-arcana/suit-of-swords/knight-of-swords/
https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/magician/
https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/strength/
"A Tryal of Witches"/ Sydney University -
https://library.sydney.edu.au/collections/rare-books/online-exhibitions/modernity/tryal.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bury_St_Edmunds_witch_trials
Bury St Edmunds Witch Trials:
https://www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/blog/2018/bury-st-edmunds-witch-trials
https://famous-trials.com/salem/2059-pleadinnocent
https://famous-trials.com/salem/2031-accused
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_court
LYRICS/ "Tomorrow", Osbourne.
https://genius.com/Ozzy-osbourne-tomorrow-lyrics
"....if I wanted your opinion..."
Categories:
exhibitions, future, muse, symbolism,
Form:
Free verse
The Coney Islands new(est) attraction arrives!
The Dreampark delivers drollness inside, a guaranteed grin.
Mr. Bostock trains with the wildest of beasts.
Eating seated with bears, slacks on them creased with a hat!
Positively the most wonderful and fierce!
Of animal exhibitions that’s sure to pierce, eyes in awe.
Mr. Bostock guarantees a thrill.
For 25 cents your night we fill, with astonishment!
Elephants, lions, tigers, and goats!
A merriment carnival of wonder we tote, on coney isle.
Mr. Bo escapes the viscous bites.
Escaping death every night, amusing you!
Seating opens at 5 to 6!
The monkey collects money for tricks, at the gate.
Don’t be late and miss the fun.
Our menagerie is sure to stun, without debate!
Arrive if you like on a goat carriage bike!
Or have a pale ale imported from Wales.
Mr. Bo’s jungle, is sure to stir rumble, tonight.
Come see his convivial companions, in sight!
Coney Isle strives to curb daily strife!
Limitless boundaries to your delight.
Can promise you won’t leave contrite.
Tonights the night, turn frowns upright.
Now that’s a bargain to cure your smite, right?
Categories:
exhibitions, appreciation, fun, history, metaphor,
Form:
Free verse
Pile drivers have replaced gandy dancers
And Mayflower trucks the circus, open-cage parades
Horse drawn down Main Street U.S.A.,
But overnight canvas bosses still command
Roust abouts to raise big top sails,
Over decks of prairie dogs and tumbleweeds.
There are gaudily painted juggernaut ride machines.
Smells of grease, heated white from oozing knuckle joints,
Calliopian music and rounds of happy screams.
A carney operator offers two a Scrambler car,
Teases riders with the tip of his bitten off cigar
A flick on your nose and ash that crashes to the circus grounds.
Jukebox music by Wurlitzer gets tinny with distance
On both sides of musty tented, kid show exhibitions
Mushrooming quiet translucent, sideshow shadow lands.
One sign says:
A WOMAN’S LIVING HEAD!
And inside there is a severed head up on a tabletop.
She answers questions easily, smiles and winks.
A kid shill says she’s doubled up
Inside a box affixed with mirrors.
Our cheeks redden more for her
Than the fact that we are led astray ourselves.
We leave to let more unenlightened in.
That day, I left forever past free throws
To win erstwhile girlfriends
By shooting hoops too narrow to be made. (4/4/21)
Categories:
exhibitions, america, growing up, humanity,
Form:
Free verse
There once was a General who had an investment in the swamp
He had many ways of getting what he wants
Including making things great again when he stomps
While in the marsh land
The General had to make a stand
Feeling pressure from the groups
Most were wearing their pinstripe suits
For many years they dealt the cards
Depending on social pages and stars
Doing business with the entire world
Using positive dialogue as its stir
For the most part this was peaceful action
Warm welcomed after the bitter distrusting combative fraction
Marketed as the evening news featured attraction
During these years of violent behavior
Games were played that the country savored
Goals, Baskets, Runs and Touchdowns galore
Checks being written and money in the bank everyone was sure
These sporting exhibitions found themselves having time on the floor
In every paper results were reported
With space, journalist awarded
Printed information
About the spectacle they were facing
Competition was the civil way
Based on physical activity play
During this fun
When communication was supposed to be done
Keeping things flowing
Like a country’s crew team doing the rowing
The General should be aware
About this unique style of internal affairs
Having the purpose to advert small upheavals
That the enemy could provide as their evil
All this is something to interpret and appreciate
As states get things straight
Sports are not games designed around winning
Instead they bring closure to the living
Unlike cultures who are sore
And do not know how to stop fighting a war
Hopefully the New York/New Jersey General will use this athletic battle fleet
To confront humanity’s flaw, the need to compete.
Categories:
exhibitions, america, history, image, political,
Form:
Rhyme
He was the son of Ernst, an immigrant gold engraver,
his devoted mother Anna was a gifted musician-
Austrian painter Gustav Klimt was but one of seven children,
all three talented sons were in constant competition.
In 1876 he attended Vienna School of Arts and Crafts,
an architectural painter he was training to be-
The Golden Order of Merit from the emperor he received,
and became an honorary member of Munich’s university.
Losing his father and his brother took a pitiful toll,
the tragedies affected his artistic vision and style-
But he met his companion Emilie Floge; life turned around,
and fathered fourteen children all the while.
Klimt took summer holidays with Emilie’s family,
off the shores of Attersee and painted landscapes there-
He became president of the Vienna Succession,
provided exhibitions for other starving artists who cared.
In 1894 he was commissioned to decorate the ceiling
in the famous University of Vienna’s Great Hall-
All three paintings were overly sexual and too disturbing,
so, they ended up being destroyed out of rage after all.
Klimt’s Golden Phase was positively successful,
many of his paintings from this period utilized gold leaf-
His first use of gold is traced back to Pallas Athene (1898),
taking small trips to Venice inspired his gold motif.
Most of his routine models were prostitutes,
posing in any way that would please his desire-
He was a highly erotic man who loved women,
but his dear Emilie was always his greatest fire.
He died in Vienna on February 6, 1918 from a stroke,
his paintings are some of the highest priced individually-
He lived a life of complicated freedom with pride,
yet placed a special importance on spirituality.
Klimt never painted a self-portrait of himself,
he thought there was nothing special about his silhouette-
If someone wanted to see who he really was,
he’d say, “look at my paintings and you won’t forget”.
Klimt Poetry Contest
December 13, 2017
Categories:
exhibitions, art,
Form:
Quatrain
All you can say about this young lady
Is that she's back and performing better than ever
Just to see her competing in exhibitions is enough
To tell me that she has the tools it takes to be a gymnast
Her name's Kim Zmeskal better known as "Kimbo"!
She would have been a member of the 1996 U.S. Women's Team
But she suffered a severe knee injury
When she tried to come back out of retirement
And had to be sidelined for a while but she's back.
She was a member of the 1992 team
That won a bronze medal at the Olympics
And became the third U.S. team in history to win a medal.
She had an awesome career in gymnastics
With’ six perfect tens and nine international titles
And if she's still able to compete in competitions
There's no telling how many more titles she will win.
I fell in love with her the very first time
I saw her compete in a competition on TV
When she leaped into my heart and has stayed
And she became my first and favorite sweetheart!
Categories:
exhibitions, sports,
Form:
Free verse
A woman and her entire family
submitting to a voluntary search
of a neighbour’s child’s pet.
Permission regularly donated
from a CEO to his subordinates
before exercising his absolute rights.
Chewing of corn by the Leopard
to let the Lamb live
or a king’s drinking of his royal wine
skipping the taste-testing of his servants
in consideration to the value of their lives
are humility in a majestic charisma.
Rare is getting rarer in finding
people of such acts
but an exact style of these exhibitions
will command enormous loyalty
ten times more than china’s foot soldiers.
Categories:
exhibitions, analogy, character, humanity, image,
Form:
Lyric