Watercolor Still Life
by Michael Doyle

When you ask me about the Harlem Renaissance 
I have to ponder and work out my best response
Art Deco found its African American affirmation
Delivered as a watercolor still life in confirmation

That things are never quite as concise as seen
That is especially true when dealing with human beings
It's often there we need to deal with what's in our minds
Wondering at the extent of what it is that we find

The creative ego of an artist is usually mostly vanity
At least for those who do not push the edges of sanity
Modern art stopped reflecting the best of simple stories
Its hope was that it might find the greater glories

Tattered pictures from real life hang crooked on the wall
It is those sorts of memories that help us best to recall
Crushing grief and voiceless faith controls the competition
Pages of truth are painted without a moment's repetition

Things of absolute beauty are often far more complicated
Then they first appear and it is certain in moments faded
As time marches along the hands of ancient, broken clocks
Still, truth is told at least twice a day; or so goes the talk

The creative ego of an artist is usually mostly vanity
At least for those who do not push the edges of sanity
Modern art stopped reflecting the best of simple stories
Its hope was that it might find the greater glories

                ..but it never did. 

(c) June 19, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved