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.

[Zack Burton]

That's very original and very nice, however it completely fails because it's "awry" not "a-rye."

Nah, I'm kidding, that's a good stylistic detail. :D

[Robin]

Yes! my music, my photography ,my poetry, my life ~ my art

[Jibey]

Neat observation of one who truly values what she does and to hell with what people think... You art is skilled and pithy... Kind of stirring....

[Pax Analog]

This is crazy wisdom.

The purity of the liberating purpose punctuated w/the ruefully laugh-inducing closing line says it all.

This fine poem is a classic reminder that art and mysticism are of the same ilk and travel to the beat of a different drum. Van Gogh meets Buddha.

[.]

. ahhh ... fierce ... fearless ... ravishing and scintillating ... more power to you ... you are a true artist ...

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

I feel this one through and through~ I have six bar codes in a half dozen countries~ I have lots of searching eyes and even more arms always looking for an answer between frayed pages~ I don't like the light like that on me~ it's hard to smile and nod and be civil in that pot of so much need~
I should have stayed an undercover writer~
that last line~ sharp as a blade~

[.]

LOL...well we would say that wouldn't we? You captured the thoughts and feelings of a thousand minds..the ending though is a cherry on the top!

[What happened to simple..]

This is AMAZING! I hope it defines everyone on this site, it's so realistic, the facts, we shouldn't be for sale, these poems are our feelings, the words of our soul come out to be seen but not sold. And it's art, we're displayed by our poems, not our actions, but our feelings.

AH thank you for this one!!!!