My Art

I made this.

It’s my art.

(waving poem in hand)

If someone asks me

“where are you displayed?”

I answer, “everywhere I go.”

This is my poetry, my story, my show

and I do say  I’m a writer

So, when they ask me, “where can I buy your book?”

I say “you can’t.”

(emphasis on you, not can’t)

My soul isn’t for sale

On  a price tag or barcode

Despite what statistics say,

I’m not a mathematical equation

I cannot be defined by decimals

With Dewey or dollar signs

So when the critics pelt me,

When the audience won’t listen

When the joke goes awry

I remember, this is art

Then I cut off my ear for spiting my nose.

Reviews

[LJW]

So, when they ask me, “where can I buy your book?”
I say “you can’t.”
(emphasis on you, not can’t)
My soul isn’t for sale
On a price tag or barcode

You can buy my book at deadbeatpress.com :-)

My soul is not for sale.

I get this, though. Very original.

[Ron]

Don't believe what Lola says. One day evryone will buy her gritty, witty work. She will love it too. Some adoration will do her good.

[VIK]

this piece defines almost every1 who is on this site..... g8 work..... nd yes its a definite empahasis on "YOU". ... :-)

[Alessander]

ha ha "poems for sale" that's almost a contradiction in terms. No one makes money off their poetry, until they're like 80 and riding off the talent from when they were 40.

I like the use everyday trivial details of "barcode", "dewey decimal" in contrast to that very highest of high fantasy of "soul".

The last line, referencing Gogh, one of the many poster children for "suffering for thine art" I thought brought home the CONSEQUENCES of truly living for art. Coincidentally, he went mad lol

This has the slight bitterness of an "unrecognized/misunderstood" artist rant, which I think many of us on the WC and other writing sites can relate to lol

"In My Craft or Sullen Art"

In my craft or sullen art
Exercised in the still night
When only the moon rages
And the lovers lie abed
With all their griefs in their arms
I labour by singing light
Not for ambition or bread
Or the strut and trade of charms
On the ivory stages
But for the common wages
Of their most secret heart.

Not for the proud man apart
From the raging moon I write
On these spindrift pages
Nor for the towering dead
With their nightingales and psalms
But for the lovers, their arms
Round the griefs of the ages,
Who pay no praise or wages
Nor heed my craft or art

- Dylan Thomas

[Ellen Hammond]

Sage advice we all need from time to time when we begin to feel vulnerable because some may be critical of our work after we have poured our heart and soul into it. How does one put a price tag on their heart and soul? Good writing is indeed a form of art which awakens most of the senses so it can still be appreciated by those who are blind, or deaf. It brings the inner beauty to the surface for others to see. But, just as not everyone likes the same pictures...some like oil, others pastels, and some like realistic paintings while others prefer abstracts, etc....so we know that our work will not appeal to everyone. Thus we need to develop a tougher skin so the critics can not destroy our confidence or heart our soul.

Of course, cutting off an ear may hurt a tad. LOL I like how you ended this with a touch of humor. Very nicely penned and a poem most writers and other artists can relate to on some level.

[Ms. Gruye]

Then I cut off my ear for spiting my nose.

This last line was perfect and might even be strong enough to stand as it's own as a flash poem. I like the snarkiness here, and it comes well earned.

viva la

[MuSe Ampoule]

Very Van Gogh at the end. I loved reading this...I think we all here can relate! Thanks for sharing!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Oh, don't go Van Gogh...a shot in the gut would tend to hurt like hell...lol...but your point here is well expressed...I'm reminded of a Steppenwolf song where John Kay said, " I never said that it was art." meaning he was prostituting his songs to pay the bills...nothing wrong with that if ya keep it honest...the way I see it. But art is way more cool...