I read this and thought it a well sustained portrait but on second and third
readings realised the artist is never described and I know the man through
his art, or your description of his art. The last 3 strophes are splendidly
weighted. As always some superb poetry going on in there. You set high
standards, Insect, for yourself and others. I assume that " conducting an
trio " is a typo.Regards Arthur.
----- Original Message -----
From: "grasshopper" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2002 9:02 PM
Subject: New Sub : Lepidoptera
> Lepidoptera
>
> He paints butterflies and moths
> resting tremulously on flowers
> so delicate you are afraid to breathe
> lest a warm waft lifts them
> away from the paper
>
> his beloved brushes, chisel tipped
> or sucked to a chinese point
> arranged in a dark bronze jar
> like a bunch of smooth stems
> streamlined ikebana
>
> tubes and cakes of paint
> laid in careful spectra
> piled paper like scented sheets
> in a linen press
> aching to be touched
>
> he mixes alizarin, black,
> ochre and white
> precise as a pharmacist
> dilutes, inspects, dilutes
> then floods a new white sheet
>
> when it dries and shrinks
> it will be ready
> not quite white, washed
> with the whisper grey
> fainter than a gnat's shadow
>
> on this he draws the outline
> of wings, a peacock eye,
> antennae fine as shrews' hair
> the flower comes later
> born from the butterfly
> a reflection of its wings
>
> both hover on the page
> suddenly alive
> see the butterfly
> scenting the flower
> you know it is a trick
> but it is still magic
>
> in the corner is a still life
> five crushed red lager cans
> brash as whore's kisses
> bills, books, magazines,
> a mouldy bread baton
> conducting an trio
> of orphaned socks
>
> you wonder if it is
> installation art
>
> perhaps if you stirred it
> gently with a mahlstick
> you might unearth the chrysalis
> of his crumpled rainbow soul
>
> grasshopper
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