Poem by Dan Stone
The wall behind me
tells my tale.
Not what anyone
including me
expected.
That’s not how
it’s supposed to look,
says one of many
voices in my head.
Did you mean
for it to go this way?
All that time you took
and this is what
you have to show?
Who needs a critic
when I have me.
I can’t even bear
to tell myself
I’m rather proud
of what I did.
I mixed my paints
and dipped my brush
like any artist
who has something
left to say.
I took my shot
and put it up
for all to see.
I’d claim I labored
long and hard
but that would mean
it hadn’t felt like play.
I like it, says a little bird,
who often hangs out
on my shoulder.
Me too, says
my best friend,
the angel always
by my side, proving
I can do no wrong.
Such high praise
coming from them all,
the ones I trust
to tell the truth,
finally saved the day.
It’s really ‘you’,
they nodded,
clearly pleased.
Better late than never,
I agreed.
Damn the critics.
There are no mistakes.
Here’s the joy
I choose to make.
It’s my call.
Besides—anyone can paint
another pretty wall.
The wall behind me
tells my tale.
Not what anyone
including me
expected.
That’s not how
it’s supposed to look,
says one of many
voices in my head.
Did you mean
for it to go this way?
All that time you took
and this is what
you have to show?
Who needs a critic
when I have me.
I can’t even bear
to tell myself
I’m rather proud
of what I did.
I mixed my paints
and dipped my brush
like any artist
who has something
left to say.
I took my shot
and put it up
for all to see.
I’d claim I labored
long and hard
but that would mean
it hadn’t felt like play.
I like it, says a little bird,
who often hangs out
on my shoulder.
Me too, says
my best friend,
the angel always
by my side, proving
I can do no wrong.
Such high praise
coming from them all,
the ones I trust
to tell the truth,
finally saved the day.
It’s really ‘you’,
they nodded,
clearly pleased.
Better late than never,
I agreed.
Damn the critics.
There are no mistakes.
Here’s the joy
I choose to make.
It’s my call.
Besides—anyone can paint
another pretty wall.