Awards given at deathbeds
to set the giver’s mind at ease
nothing more than fast forwarded wreaths
shrouded in honour’s robes
Ignored
condemned for ? being
a prodigy
unmindful of social decorum
courting and embracing art
disregarding vain authority
Truth, the hardest rock, disconcerts
Sheltering behind walls of glass,
they dread the pen, fear the brush
devoid of honeyed accents
Wait for reviews to appear before taking sides
Secret, grudging worship
never acknowledged in public
They wait till the artist is past caring
to judge his art
speeches kept ready
to be read at the last breath
Omission rectified, photographs taken
They pose smilingly, a noble deed done
Art relegated to idolatry
Artist banished into history
-Reena Prasad
A satisfying critique that fizzes with a melange of wry observation and acerbic humour.
Thank you Louis Kasatkin. Something that bothers me.. people looking not at art but at the artist
Reena,hats off for so deftly dealing with a important yet ignored fact.The very first stanza is so complete in itself.simply amazing work.
Thank you Nalini.. one should perhaps stop with the first , don’t you think? 🙂