Grafitti

All our Concord waters have two colors at least; one when viewed at a distance, and another, more proper, close at hand. - Thoreau

It started out as a blank canvas.

Innocent and ethereal.

Whitewashed and willing.

Primed in the womb of the watchtower.

A future wailing wall.

Sanctified and symmetrical.

Innocent and unstained.

Abstract and agnostic.

A prayer in pigment.

A holy street-temple.

Anointed and affixed with acrylic.

An unfinished work in the making.

Hanging in the balance.

Yet to be determined.

Screaming out for recognition.

Longing for rightful dominion.

A reminiscence of the first rodeo, roped in righteousness.

Shrouded by a curtain of religious expression.

Awaiting unveiling.

Desire trumps divinity.

A flagrant forked-tongue, forged in the foundry of fame.

Drooling like cool, morning dew on a window pane as the sun comes up.

Etched in eternity.

Scribbled and scrawled with sarcastic sins.

Bold and brazen brushstrokes spread with crooked, carnal colors.

Stained with the blood of survival and the will to stand out.

Juxtaposed and juvenescent.

Running.

Nowhere in particular.

Just running.

Like a thief in the night with a sadistic spray-can. 

A shrewd shrine marked with meaning.

A miraculous melodrama hanging in the manse of the Mafia.

A Machiavellian masterpiece in the museum of mankind.

Signed by a Renaissance master.

Laminated with latex and love.

Leaving its mark upon the world forever.

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in the court of carnivores.

Covering my graphic soul with  ...

... grafitti ...

Author's Note

"The great art of life is how to turn the surplus life of the soul into life for the body." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Poetic Beauty]

Life is a balance of light and dark with many shades that are swirling in the mix as twilight and dawn begin.

There are things that can tarnish our spirits and mark our minds but on the flip side there are things that can polish our spirits and brighten our lives.


The way you write this with the fine details and using words like ethereal bring a depth to this poem and allows the reader to picture these thoughts on this poem.

[MCS]

Dang Pete you're on a roll my friend, this is an excellent write. Your words would be right at home here: https://www.blogto.com/arts/2018/06/graffiti-alley-might-be-be-torontos-most-unexpected-tourist-attraction/

[Pete]

you're too kind. this was one of the first pieces i wrote here in the cafe quite some time ago. i followed your link - wow. that grafitti alley is very cool and uplifting.

[MCS]

i enjoyed your post. that is an interesting area of toronto; it was much cooler when i was a teen now its run down but the art work on those walls is amazing.

[steppenwolf]

Your diving into the English language and emerging with this poem reminds me of Allen Ginsburg, who I like a lot. The word groupings, similar sounds, the shaping...just overwhelmingly fantastic.

[Pete]

so kind of you. your thoughts are appreciated. thank you so much ... :)

[closed]

Court of carnivores, so much imagery in those words alone. Phenomenal poem!

[Pete]

thank you brixley. appreciate you stopping in ... :)

[tracey]

hi pete, im quite new on site, loved this write , it just flows a great piece il be reading some more!

[Pete]

thanks tracey. your thoughts are felt and appreciated. i will be round for a read. thanks for popping in ... :)

[tracey]

feel free all critiques good or bad are appreciated pete thanks

[Lorry]

From blank canvas to work of art, from thought to creation, your words define art in every form. They expain the inexplicable journey we take, every time our muse calls.
Superb write.

[Pete]

thank you kind sir. glad to spill some paint for ya ...

[andrew mitchell]

Brilliant Pete just brilliant! This is just sudden impact. Love the wording so condensed, a rich write indeed with intense flavours. This is the classic scenario of its always greener over the other side of the fence, ie in this case your writes are very good in your part of the woods and I need a higher fence!

[Pete]

hey, thanks andrew. i appreciate your thoughts on this. hope all is well in your part of the world!

[andrew mitchell]

not to bad thanks pete, keep well too.

[Pete]

i'll be 'round for a read soon as i can. we just got hit by a bad storm. a nor' easter - heavy rain and strong winds wreaked havoc.

[andrew mitchell]

isn't the weather crazy at the moment, heavy snow in London, snow in Rome and Venice! Its crazy Pete!

[Pete]

we've had up and down temps. was 70 degrees the other day now 40. very strong winds. crazy for sure.

[Giulia King]

So well written! Where do you find the inspiration?

[Pete]

thank you Giullia. don't really know - it just pours out suddenly and quickly sometimes, never knowing when. life experiences, my heart, what i'm feeling at a given time, faith in the almighty and music that touches me - all contributing. could be anything really ... :)

[Nipplegrinder]

This is really well crafted. Your word choice blends with a cadence that is remarkably smooth. It's evident you posess a vast vocabulary, and appear unafraid to use it.

[Pete]

hey, thanks N.G. appreciate you stopping in to share thoughts and leave your mark ... :)

[wordman]

sometimes it`s beautiful art,someone crying out to be un forgotten

[Pete]

a double header, a tale of two cities. thanks wordman. peace out ... :)