Image: Grafitti artist at work (here)
the 12 given words:
smash corner familiar deface
perfidy(deliberate breach of faith;treachery)
tiresome
phallus (an image of the male reproductive organ)
heartrending (expressing intense grief, anguish, or distress)
occupy
rakefire (a visitor who outstays his welcome)
sediment league
They often have a smashing time
May not be at dark corners but well in view
Familiar sight in some neighborhoods
To deface a blank wall is not seen as a perfidy
In the eyes of the artist it is a contribution to society
Given of a free will but with responsibility
They take pains to draw presentable images
Even supported with philosophical sayings
No tiresome or base sketches of a phallus
But artist of stature perhaps facing hard times
Certainly not the same as the sexist or obscene
rantings behind toilet doors in some communities
This is heartrending to others but unfortunately
may find some following that occupy sick minds
One need not be bothered with such a rakefire
They have sediments in their brains not in league with
expected good behavior of which they are lacking
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry # 308
I also see grafitti artists as space huggers. They just need, i think, to claim their own. Not so much showing, but staking a claim, well that's my take on the matter
ReplyDeleteGood write, thanks for sharing
much love...
Good graffiti can be very powerful - the whole world can be our canvas as long as we treat it with respect and share a valuable message
ReplyDeleteI also love seeing what graffiti artist create...give them a blank canvas, and let them go...usually it is amazing....loved the poem!
ReplyDeleteStreet art like that is usually quite impressive. It's a positive not a negative thing.
ReplyDeleteI do love street art, which is usually cheerful, uplifting and makes a statement. I, too, deplore what one finds in public toilet stalls......I try not to read them. Smiles. Interesting topic , Hank.
ReplyDeleteOh yes street art or graffiti can be pretty much amazing :D
ReplyDeleteExcellent write.
They can sure create a ton and impress indeed. Although sometimes they create art where it shouldn't be.
ReplyDeleteFun to see all these positive remarks
ReplyDeleteI appreciate graffiti in certain appropriate places. Some of the artists are quite talented indeed.
ReplyDeletea nice topic for a poem Hank and very well written, as always..."In the eyes of the artist it is a contribution to society / Given of a free will but with responsibility"...my favorite lines...
ReplyDeleteYou either like it or you don't, some looks quite impressive , good verse for this subject.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I have mixed feelings about grafitti. A lot of grafitti is quite good. A lot of time, effort and money goes into the project. Most I see is on the sides of train cars when I am stopped by the train.
ReplyDeleteI do think that there are some graffiti that raises above the rest... but not all is Banksy.
ReplyDeleteI like graffiti as long as it's not destroying property and done where it costs money to others. It's an artistic expression when done right.
ReplyDeleteGraffiti can be both beautiful and meaningful. I have also seen some amazing murals that give life to a place. Really clever use of the words
ReplyDeletemlm