The Fantasy
The artist stands back with brush in hand.
A masterpiece that’ll cause all to stand.
A great applause then filled his head.
Beautiful and elegant, the crowd always said.
Kings and queens hurried to his side.
Masters of the past, who long ago died
to obtain the fame he had right now,
pleaded his secret and asked him how.
The artist smiled then back to his work.
Sometimes the fantasy made him feel a jerk.
But only to himself, no one else ever knew
the motivating force he always drew
within his mind, within his soul.
Reality’s fame always came too slow
and receiving the world’s recognition
is never as glorious as his mind’s invention.
So again he withdraws back into that mind.
A place more fulfilling where he’ll always find
total acceptance, everyone loves him there.
A towering self-image and he’ll always wear
exquisite attire and a beauty on his arm
and unto himself he sees little harm
for the artist continues with brush in hand.
Motivated by illusion where he’ll always stand
unique among the normal, a sight to behold.
Judged crazy by mediocrity but they all sold
their rights to eternity, a fantasy you see,
reserved for the artist in you and me.
I wrote this back in ‘88’ when I was a artist and quite delusional.
Love the struggle in the heart of the artist. It is a battle with those who are talented. You portray it well
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Aw, don't say such things, Dave!
ReplyDeleteI believe you're still an artist and still delusional - as is right!
he withdraws back into that mind...
ReplyDeletei like how you describe the artist - think in every artist, there is this drive coming from deep within to create and set free - what others think is only secondary..
the artist and the fantasy..the eternal bliss we all feel when in there! delusional is quite perfect too :)
ReplyDeleteThe fame of dreams never comes soon enough in reality...we build up these images, these constructs of desire, but how slow the world moves toward them...
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, it touches me, but I think that any human could look on this and know the feeling. We feel such bliss in our dreams - even if we know it is delusion. But on we struggle. What else can we do?
Fine piece - thanks for sharing it.
"Sometimes the fantasy made him feel a jerk..." yep, can relate to that! Great poem, Dave. Perhaps the only true acceptance is self-acceptance and I like how your poem also expresses that. Glad you brought this one back from 88'.
ReplyDeleteI like it. It stands on it's own merit.
ReplyDeletei was toying with sharing a poem this week that i wrote in the 80's...its funny how looking back helps us move forward...enjoyed this..thanks for sharing...pete
ReplyDeleteFun, art-relatable work.
ReplyDelete