in art school

teacher called me in,
said tell these young dreamers
what it's like
amongst the best
how it feels
to excel with strength
now you've flown
beyond our care.
i should have said,
beware.
before you go
to art school:
forget your dreams.
get acquainted with regret.
you'll paint what they want you to.
in acrylics,
the abstract portrait
of your failed lecturer's hopes
with his undue aggression
claims he's an inspiration
for young 'artists'.
(i haven't seen any yet.)

your pretty face will wane average
in the bathroom lighting
next to portia-rose
with the ragged blonde hair.
her patchwork clothes.
her perfect, pierced nose.
if you try to paint
what you see
or try to create
a form of beauty.
prepare to ravage it over and over
like the naive bride's
wedding-night slaughter.
to seem more edgy
or emotionally tortured.

and if you're not into
the pretentious type of friend,
there's even a guy with a beard
and pipecleaner hair
who draws cartoon dicks
like superman's.

but if all else fails,
consider it
like i do.
as a good exercise,
in tear-retention.

Reviews

[Phibby Venable]

excellent!

[Emily B]

such a stunning picture . . .

[Ms. Gruye]

this reminded me of the Belle and Sebastian song, "Expectations." Depending on your stance of Scottish prog rock, that could be a compliment or a criticism.

[Ken Simm.]

So very true from experience. Very well written.

[Ed Hart]

Sometimes you hit the ball right out of the park...

[cest la vie]

This is an incredible poem.. simply incredible. Well done here!!

[W.k.kortas]

Absolutely pitch perfect.