Acrylic, gels, and 2 cent Euro coin on 20 x 50 cm stretched canvas.
This morning, I got back to painting at last after a month of focus on my second poetry book in advance of the Poetry Brothel. I decided to start in acrylics in case I’ve forgotten how to paint. And to illustrate a poem, since that’s often my process. I’ve painted and thought about “Change your life”—a famous Rilke line and evidence-based Levitt instruction—a few times before. But just now finally illustrated my more recent poem on it, which I memorized and enjoyed performing Friday night…
“Change Your Life”
Flip a coin: quit, leave, or join?
You must change your life—but how?
More than one decision? Now?
Yellow satin and red butterflies—
you have a heart that’s worn them out
and so do I. No one wants to see you cry.
Except me, perhaps. I’d rather see you try
and fail than not try at all.
Put it out there. The draft. The dream. The gall.
