Awaiting Renaissance

by Philip Vassallo

The artist makes a mistake
they call a masterpiece.
His genius is too easy
gushing from palettes
and dripping down easels,
blotting the canvas
the moment it splashes,
convincing the critics
by the purity of its smear.

Scribbling on programs,
they note the color of shadow
and the light at its edge--
erasing the art
and creating the artist.

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