Denton Arts and Drugs Festival

This paltry eve of dysfunction devours convention-

swathed by the 9 o'clock leaves of descent

starlit maples plumb Salvador skies,

stringed and sullen

Lifting the night of madmen

and invention.

Tom Waits incarnate just crept by ...

diseased by sour thoughts,

he floundered a crack-coddled sidewalk

on dust-clad clunkers,

dismal choked his dour disposition

like a smog webbed skyline...

I shared his soured fermentation,

two dead souls spinning

 in plumes of exhaust,

driven by death.

The finality of movement is crucial,

clicking clocks clown in the sweat of withdraw. 

I need a puff, a pop, an intravenous 

cap of illusory nirvana,

to curb the swell of lamentation.

Flowering comatose 

in the frugal clasp of night,

this crypt of voices pour like tenets

from the crack-house of my mind.

They crescendo in tandem,

a standing ovation clamors 

this shell of a paper heart;

deviled in the opiate of delight. 

I need drugs, darling.

Because i'm already dead. 

Death, that is, an entropy, a 

sinking. We love bad news and

dirty girls who swallow the soul. 

If I could feel... breath on my cheek

if I could feel... hands laced would summer the sweet

of eyes wintry, a desolate calm

Eyes sucked dry and steaming.

Who were those awful people?

Why are artists so damned egocentric?

This town is a perpetual show-and-tell week.

Love me, love me, see my macaroni muse?

Don't forget that even skeletons need a treat.

Reviews

[Shmoke-Sifted Heftlande..]

the truth is, that this is expressed and witnessed with an intense beauty and sadness that i cannot un-see, regardless of the ocean that swallows my memory
regardless of the mania that previously accompanied, being transfixed by the movements of the larva in the early developments of my awareness
you're witnessing the art scene like from the bench at recess, and their fun is their shallowness and vice versa, and you retreat into your amazing imagination where your bench self becomes an illusion and holds a series of faces in computer generated sequence to keep them occupied during your retreat; but in this imagination, you're in the sewers with burroughs and tom waits is the soundtrack, instead of some catchy strawberry alarm clock melody while imagining yourself running in slow motion with the butterflies
and my review is melting into itself and fizzling,
so back to reality...your kung fu is amazing; cynical and sad, yes; brilliant and tough to me to read; I wish I merely meant looking up words and connecting dots
it's just intense and honest and I'm proud to say you're my friend

[Kristallo]

Amazing review, John. Thank you so much.

[The Twin Arenas]

Last stanza is interesting. ARtists are often found egocentric by other artists and people who wish they were, and to themselves, I suppose. They're own community. I used to feel like a real shitheel telling border guards that's what I am when I crossed over, but one of the first steps in being an artist, is declaring without reservation that you are one.
"Dirty girls who swallow the soul" is a nice line as well. And I like the title.

[Kristallo]

Thank you!

[Jack...]

This was so very cool and crafted in a whimsical, yet in your face kind of style. Why is it that artists are so egocentric? Reminds me of the starving artist show down here in San Antonio. A collection of egos and forced smiles happily hawking their wares to masses of strangers. So much talent sits on these streets, beautiful work, and personalities, that if any one would take the moment to converse with, their eyes might somehow be opened to the world that truly exists beyond the television set and the ipad. The carnival atmosphere wreaks havoc with the central nervous system as 1000's converge in their Bermuda shorts, half price sun dresses and knock off sunglasses pretending to be the next great art connoisseurs, yet they leave with nothing more than a green sno-cone. This was so very cool my friend. Art speaks and needs to heard...you have been heard.

[Kristallo]

Thank you for your insights, Jack... I wrote this while thinking of how I don't often get along well with other artists, they often seem so self absorbed and averse to ideas and platforms that aren't their own. They tend to have personalities that overwhelm my own, with the wild eccentricities and the harshness of opinion, and so I sink into the 'artist underworld' and only share my paintings with a few close friends- those who know how to listen and share, whom are not just waiting for their turn to talk. Anyway, i'm glad that you liked it. Thanks so much.

[Jack...]

I know exactly the feelings my friend. Most creative people are a strange breed, but who could live without them?

[Kristallo]

I think we could all use a little humbling from time to time. But you're right. ;)

[Sethnicity]

Poetic Yes, Honest Yes, Cynical Yes, Fantastical Yes, Lyrically you astound me! And I was present during it's creation and I'm still shocked at how well AND quickly this developed into the storm cloud of your Thunderhead. The claps of brilliance and light must be out of sight "because I could have sworn you said you Loved it and I felt you mean it." Wicked what the wit of a woman can weave. Yet lay it down so nonchalantly. This whole thing is a testament to your God Given ability to create and destroy at the same time and should not be treated lightly. The next time you want to write something remember how it felt when you Poured out this hot skillet of candle wax in the hearts and minds of anyone hungry for a second helping and it will help you remember the recipe for the next delicacy. Stick to your guns of metaphorical vastness and drown your audience in the riptide and undertow of it. When you write like this Johnsons shrivel to the size of canned wieners in bodegas and Big Steel Mellons and Coconuts wither like raisins on the skin searing sun bleached leather of a metal coiled car seat!

Favorite verses: (because i could just Choose one)
"The finality of movement is crucial,
clicking clocks clown in the sweat of withdraw.
I need a puff, a pop, an intravenous
cap of illusory nirvana,
to curb the swell of lamentation.

Flowering comatose
in the frugal clasp of night,
this crypt of voices pour like tenets
from the crack-house of my mind.
They crescendo in tandem,
a standing ovation clamors
this shell of a paper heart;
deviled in the opiate of delight."

[Kristallo]

Why, thank you, Seth!

[Tate Morgan]

Why are artists so damned egocentric?
This town is a perpetual show-and-tell week.
Love me, love me, see my macaroni muse?
Don't forget that even skeletons need a treat.

thats hillarious lol

[Muse]

ferking eccentric!

Why are artists so damned egocentric?
This town is a perpetual show-and-tell week.
Love me, love me, see my macaroni muse?
Don't forget that even skeletons need a treat.

people like this are not always dead...they are just living in the moment, they may not feel very good by morning. But they are being free the only way they know how to be. There's no harm in that.

I read this like a spectator, with a certain amount of amusement. It's like karaoke, I like to watch, not participate.

[Kristallo]

I fall into this category from time to time, too. Artists need to be seen, heard, felt- and often we lose ourselves in the 'sharing' game. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you!

[Souladareatease]

AHHH there She is:) I LOVE this write Kris VERY liquid, many little drips of ink to have sink in the skin (Love the Waits reference:) happy surprise.
They crescendo in tandem,
a standing ovation clamors
this shell of a paper heart;
deviled in the opiate of delight.
Gorgeous ...and not simply or just---it IS!!!
digitdigitidoido
How was the show Kiddo?

[Kristallo]

This is an ode to the evolution of the mind. A bitter requiem of a searching heart, a cynical mind, a losing battle in a town of strangers... so glad you enjoyed!! Your sweet words are SO appreciated. And the show was phenomenal, actually the same band is playing again tonight and I shall see them twice!...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are too wonderful.

[Souladareatease]

It is Lovely:) Good for You thats awesome rock on and write on!!!