I long ago committed myself
to this commerce,
selling off tales
of my blue rages,
my gentle red tenderness,
my sightings and songs.

Now I’m a damn rich man.
How did that happen?

I own up to a contempt
for my customers
that shames me.
I’m weary
as any hellion can ever be
of his own mischief.

But I won’t give up a cent,
ever.

A spokesman for the department
has said that a suspect is in custody.

Sources close to the investigation
refuse to speculate on motive.

Evidence is still being collected
and witnesses are still being interviewed.

As the investigation continues
it is expected that more charges will be added.

While the identity of the suspect is known to the press
it has been requested that it not be revealed.

All that is publicly acknowledged 
is that the suspect is a black male in his twenties.

The department will not rule out the possibility
that other suspects are still being sought.

Other suspects may include
more black males in their twenties.

It is also possible that one or more juveniles
are among those being sought.

The department will only confirm
that the search effort will continue.

The department will only confirm
that the search parameters are being widened.

The department stresses that all suspects
are to be considered innocent until they are proven guilty.

The department wishes to thank the public
for their help in the continuing investigation.

The department notes
that this message will repeat.

Art

is not decoration
entertainment
cause for rally

should ruffle feathers —
never smooth the bird at rest
but rile the bird into flight

is not harmless
should never be harmless
should pinch
should itch

the world’s getting warmer —
want to know how? see this photo
of the effect of pebble thrown
into water —
the rich are getting richer —
want to know how?  see the
ill-stretched canvas, the thin
paint, see where the cloth shines through —
see how we make do
and what of how our faces rise and fall
in the company of the beloved ones? want to know
how we are then?

So what?  Those are side
issues for

Art

that is never decoration
dressing on wound or 
balm on reddened skin
oil of cloves or
pepper in the nose —

Art

doing something that cannot be described
any other way except as
art
refuses to bend
rigid as firehose on blaze —
the perfect fluid
water
turned to steel 
contained barely
if at all
if released can fly about
striking everything
in long arcs

and only after do we
soaked through
say

those curves
divorced of the impact
pure and
essential
ah
the throat aches for another word
that does not exist
so
we will have to make it up