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poetry by j matthew waters

Archive for the tag “artistry”

28 Nov 2022

first born


the page is off white
blank & unlined
like an expressionless face
eyes shut & chin slightly lifted
mind void of meaningful thought

tiger behind iron gate
wants to come out & play
unknowing she is but a kitten
sublimely aware this life
will not be the last

charcoal in hand
ideas spring forth
from a second story window
a greenish moon burning bright
like the intensity of eyes
spellbound & unforgiving





november two thousand twenty-two
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved

Posted in Animals, Poetry and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
31 Dec 2018
2 Comments

creation in waiting


bored by an ancient past
afraid of what lies ahead
I sit in front of metal easel
white canvas but a mirror
sable paint brush in hand

painting myself in and out
of an imperfect circle
how many times must I try
turning apple into orange
or barren earth into sky

I keep telling myself
a masterpiece is awaiting
one without a beginning or end
brimming with suspension
like a virtuoso escape artist




december two thousand eighteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved

Posted in Poetry and tagged , ,
17 May 2013

exterior designer


I love the way she speaks to me
when the light is just right
the color of her eyes
transitioning from blue to bright

she wraps her arms around mine
like a skintight sleeve
vibrant and indelible
sinfully striking yet naive

no pain is greater than her mark
engraved upon my hide
forever reminding me
artistry shan’t ever be denied



may two thousand thirteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved

Posted in Poetry and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
02 Feb 2013
3 Comments

Untitled – Circa 1984

Dedicated to Gary W. Keena
March 1, 1952 – February 1, 2013

What have you to live for
before you leave this world? before you’re on your own?
What cause will you die for
in your final hour? at your greatest need?

Tell me before you leave, what have you to say?
Tell me of the lonely riddle and the unknown way.

Old man, sit up straight,
don’t cough away your life…don’t hide your eyes.
Listen to my words of wonder;
do they matter? who really cares?

Answer me one question
before you leave this world…to satisfy my fear.
Tell me if you know
where you’re going next…tell me of paradise.

Today, today, it yearns for yesterday;
take me back one day so I might know the secret of creation.

Tell me before you leave, what have you to say?
Tell me of the lonely riddle and the unknown way.


About Gary


Poetry Video

recorded and posted february second two thousand thirteen
originally written circa nineteen eighty-four
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved

Posted in Poetry and tagged , , , , ,
26 Jan 2013
7 Comments

landslide


for centuries the sloping hill
produced a bouquet of artistry
sewn into the grass
and handpicked by flower children

an annual blizzard blanketed
the hill and invited participants
to hasten up and down
using any means possible

as the city slowly crawled outward
leaving concrete in its wake
the sloping hill cried
shaking and moaning and hurting

the forward motion gradually
violated the internal integrity
of her existence
until one day without warning
she simply sailed away


january two thousand thirteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved

Posted in In the City, Nature, Poetry and tagged , , , , , , , ,

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