Critique

It’s the kind of art
that makes you
contemplate its meaning
for hours
before taking a hammer to it

The kind of art
that boils water
and that’s all it’s good for

The kind of art
that flies avoid landing upon

The artist is a rube
who has stumbled into genius
once
and sparked
slapdash rebellion

It’s the kind of art
that prompts us to say

“everyone must be good at something
once”

Duration is beside the point
Talk of legacy is laughable

The kind of art
that shines when the right light hits it
and come closing time
doesn’t show up at all

but it’s working right now
and when that light gets itself lined up
just right on the piece

it’ll be like a drunk hobo is all over your lapels
spitting unintentionally foul aphorisms
and you’ll tell everyone about it the next day
and keep the story in your party repertoire
for a long time