Page 24
By Jack Joseph Smith
A POEM TO A PAINTER
BEFORE:
When I went to the calling that was the magic of this .
horror show I saw minds winding through darkest parts .
of the eternal currents into down below trailing upon
twisted memories I went so slow on the screaming edge- .
of my hanging lungs at the final moment when the last
reded eye went into me and I caught a life in time to - 7
say I saw through men over knowledge as timeless with
wisdom as an untouched tree after they had captured a . ;
brain and on scalpel sharp surgical stone cut it rawe
IT ALL;
When I see water rolling white in the night within
winding grays I think of the day that sank away to- i
feelings going on the flow of men's sounds carried :
alas on the stillness in time to where there would
have been other men as Will could have gone beyond :
toward turning teacher into brother ‘but thought of
all the gravestones along the way and could I walk ,
there pretending I never witnessed deep dread face- -
of the spirit or what would I write after again to-
- again the wine went dripping from my mouth walking ;
from doors of closing taverns with tears running 2 i
down my-lines like fading colors of a worn out hobo's tie?”
HAPPENED:
Men among lost men blessing man's soul in the wild -
of the black alley the world has yet to tally your -
understanding and consecrate lone agony in wreaths
false wrapped round the tombs they place above you
yet with art I deepen my own still passing beneath
. strength knowing movement gives not good leave ‘with replys