Tag Archives: general systems theory

Reflection on the Lonely Artist


The lonely artist is not a fiction but a prediction


of the lonely lover


awaiting to discover


who we are.


I do not know you, do I ?

How could I when I do not yet know myself?


I see you. I hear you.


You are there.


In your eyes I see myself


as a reflection,

with it inherent loss of my full energy


and being, lost in your gaze.

This leaves me lost and dazed.


All you give me is a reflection of myself.

It is not enough.


It lacks your energy. Your being

you keep for yourself,


leaving me alone, grasping air.


Perhaps this is why we choose


to love only those who appear


most like our selves.


Disenchanted when all we are


able to embrace

is the reflected self.


Give me your true self.


Give me your art


not something set apart,

but different from me.


This is the value of diversity.


This love beyond self


only comes when we see

more than our own reflection,


are given new energy,


the energy of you.


Fear keeps us apart.


We fear knowing who we are.


We fear knowing who you are.

Fearing if we love you,


we will only see

our lessened selves.

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A TICKET TO RIDE

Already forgotten bell curves

overcome by spikes and pikes

carrying virus loads

up the nose.

No more waves

of predictability

nor general systems theories

of how things go.

if there are rules of pandemic,

they are rules lost in the mystery,

lost to a history

passed by and past off

by those who scoff

their vulnerability.

Roller coaster rides and pandemics

take away my breath.

Sudden falls after steep climbs

drop my stomach to my toes.

Harsh and sudden turns of phrase

bring fear of death

around each unexpected curve.

One does not mind a five minute ride,

hands held high on final descent;

with a grudging stop and final flop.

The ride softly ends as riders depart.

Unsteady feet steady once more

ready to explore the carousel, and bumper cars,

cotton candy and games of chance.

A three year ride is way too scary

and leaves us wary

of how, if at all, it will end.

With a bang or a whimper?

Or, a sullen long simmer, fall after fall

along rails beginning to wear ?

The ride must continue until all are loaded

with a vaccination, or two, or three;

maybe, more even than four.

The tickets were free,

but too many refused to take a shot

at ending the ride on time.

More climbs, more falls, more curves

until we are all sick to death or dying.

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