(after the painting by Gerry Bergstein)
From Einstein’s mind
a universe
where nothing was
something is
mass squared and light
from energy
the why of it eludes
the patterns
on a plasma screen
the random collisions
of random particles
circling until they meet
at the last at last
as if they were something
rather than nothing—
perhaps a single mind
creates the universe
perhaps the universe
is nothing more than thought—
perhaps.
atomic_kill_threads
(after the painting by Shane Hope)
Improbably, ironically
the smallest of things
atoms kill
cosmic strings
form rope
execute their will
elemental particles and waves
decapitate, eviscerate
annihilate, eradicate
asphyxiate, electrocute
neutralize and sacrifice
is nature’s way
turning blood to threads
of lifeless space.
Creature of Clouds
(after the wire and metal sculpture by Richard Pousette-Dart)
From clouds
hard wire and steel
creatures ride the sky
as if they were machines
nebulous, unformed
then metal monsters
flashing dragon wings
a saintly face, then birds
then anarchy of cirrus threads
and thunderheads
metamorphosis
to fading creatures of the clouds
* Each is an ekphrastic poem based on a work of modern art; and in each case, the title of the poem is also the title of the original image.