Hockney’s Defiance
David Hockney chain smoked
while painting
undisguised images
of gay lovers
handsome man watched
himself age, unafraid
and unafraid, he was,
to render his self-portrait
in red suspenders
and sagging flesh
consider your wrinkles
born of all you have lived, loved
and all you have made
13 thoughts on "Hockney’s Defiance"
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A brilliant little poem!
thanks, Linda. surprised you could see this before my 15 minute editing window
I have magic.
Not really, but sometimes.
That last stanza is really sweet. I loved this.
Love! I need to post this last stanza by the mirror.
One of my favorite authors, Louise Erdrich, says she has earned every one of her wrinkles.
The title is perfect, and that last strophe? Wow!
Gorgeous from beginning firmness to wrinkly end!
Yes!!! Shew
Yes! He was a fine artist, gay icon and artistic elder who never stopped working. His late creations made with an iPad are often astoundingly beautiful.
concise poem carries so much weight!
Defiance is in the air this summer. I love the punch you pack in short poems.
So sweet. And so great of you to define this essence that the best artists have.