What’s
The right word
I’m looking for?

Oh yes
I think that’s
Artist.

Not a lawyer
Cop
Or doctor.

A teacher
Priest
Or fool.

See those people
Thrive
On neediness

In the sense
Their jobs
Are casted

For societies
Built
To linger

At these hands
Of lies
In charge.

But artists
They just
Last

And pitch
Their darkest
Shadows

With questions
Some
Can answer

Finding truth
Where none
Exists –

Exploring
Faith as
Doubt,

Holding dear
What pain
Expresses,

Agreeing
Life bears
Meaning

If the reason
Means
To live.

To love
And lose
Intensely,

To conquer
Fate
By dreaming

And attain
That near
Forever

When its far
For those
Who choose

Their role
Which follows
Suit

Every breath
That’s passed
Before them

From the lips
Of lives
Examined

Only for
What cash
They claim

Is safety
Built
To last

As it fades
Without
Their measure

Of smiles
Held
By children

But the cost
Of bills
They paid.

No narrative
Left
To ponder

Or mystery
Bound
To savor,

Just lines
In local
Papers

Telling goals
They couldn’t
Reach

As death
Assumes
That chance

From the time
Our heart
Is beating

And evil
Speaks of
Pleasure

Which requires
Work
As God.

So seize
This fleeting
Chance

And let artists
Just be
Artists.

Or become one
If you
Aren’t.

Otherwise
I say
Boo hoo.

– J. Pigno