Art today is from the Irish-born, British artist, Francis Bacon. (1909-1992), known for his portraits and figures. As above, a recurring motif was ‘the screaming mouth’, applied by him to many figures, including popes.
Quiet desperation “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” –Henry David Thoreau How quiet really is the desperation of the mass of men? Though not much now can be heard, when is it not loud and getting louder between their ears, cacophonies embedded in dreams, rumbles of regret, years of inward screams over slights, betrayals, risks untaken? Listen close, we’ll hear it, disallowed yet near, shaken in a voice-break, whiskey-swallow, a groan, a sigh. Such as these tell the story; they do not lie. And before long, the disquiet will mount, a door slammed, obscenities tossed, calls for blood, the bleating of the damned. And ever louder and more intense, the din will rise in streets and skies, the lost men and their cries touching me in a hidden place: my sweet hiding spot. It’s very quiet in there, it’s quiet, it’s quiet—is it not?
I probably asked about a collection of your poems in print. Is there one? If not then one planned? Would be great to have them on paper 💚
Francis Bacon...was there a philosopher from centuries ago? I know...I can google it. Great painting...love the poem.