At Gallery 717: Four Paintings

The young prefer bright colors.
Large paintings, please!

I myself, tormented by joy,
am more attuned
to shadings and blurring of features.

I have finally forgiven my doubts.

                        ***

One figure, bearded and muscled,
is a modern Christ
naked to the waist, wearing jeans,
in what appears to be a foundry.

He is one of the working poor
for whom Christ died.

I see him stopping by for a drink
on his short way home
to the one-room bedroom and kitchen
he calls his home.

                        ***

Another—bright vase on dark background—
draws me close to see
a dim, dark face looking back.
It’s a face of evil.

I find myself shrinking away;
still I stop, look back
at what I am sure is the devil.

I will dream tonight and wake up
to imagined faces.

                        ***

The third painting worthy of mention
shows a town at night.

Tall walls made of plain white stucco
highlight a light
left on
in an upper window.

The thing you want
more than anything else late at night
is a safe dry room.