November 2, 2011 November PAD Chapbook Challenge

Day 2: November Pad Chapbook Challenge, Poets Aside, Robert Brewer  The prompt was to begin with a quote.  I have chosen the quote by Henry James, a quote that I live by.

“We work in the dark, we do what we can, we give what we have. Our passion is our doubt, and our passion is our task. All of the rest is the madness of art.” –Henry James

The Work is our Life
Mr. James has it right
As an artist
First is to begin
We have no idea really

We work in the dark
We pick up the pencil
We draw
The brush
We paint
We chip the stone
There is no promise
Of the outcome

We do what we can
That is all we can do
The line goes this way
We follow

We give what we have
We work to the best of our ability
It is a piece we will sign
We will put our names on it
For all times
Today
And long after we cease to be

It is our doubt
That is our passion
We begin and end
With it

And all else is the madness of art
This is all consuming
There is no need of more

November 2, 2011 November PAD Chapbook Challenge

Poets Aside, Robert Brewer: November Pad Chapbook Challenge, a poem a day.

First poem:

Today
I put off one thing
For “another”
I do what I have to
For a while
It is how it has been

I cannot focus on one thing
Because I only desire “another”
I lay down two colors
Which delight the
Very soul of my eye

Breathless
I watch the clock
Working quickly
Look for short cuts
Still it takes
As long as it takes
The love of the “other”

In time
I will find the “other”
But for now
I can only do this one thing
I do not work for money
Nor to another’s directions
I follow my own path
Worn over centuries
For all times

I follow the ones who went before
I kneel by the fire
I look into your eyes
I place my hand upon your heart
I am encircled by the
Essence of your love