how to be a famous artist

give up the notion
that you are
dignified, sensible,
or smart.
even if you are any
or all of those,
you will surely
cease to be
as soon as you
notice it.

learn to obsess
until
you flake. soak yourself
in someone, something; emerge, then
let the rust
fall from you
in cascades as it
wears off.

smile more than you
breathe. breathe more than you
cry. cry more than you
care. care more than you
are.

caveat:
a casket is
a dream palace.
you would find it
confining and it does not afford
the public a good view
of the art.

stages, on the other hand,
allow you the opportunity
to be seen from a distance:
smiling, eloquent, far enough away
that the holding of breath is
indistinguishable from
natural movement — which,
of course, it is for you.

decay, display, and subterfuge, then;
romance becomes you.
you’ll be remembered for this.