Black and White

Franz Kline, Figure Eight, 1952

You lay the strokes with confidence

a master calligrapher

Awed

I watch as you create the piece

I think I know where the next brushstroke will land

but you change course

following a sketch that only you can see

(or is it all improvisation?)

You say questions of perception versus reality are pointless

that we can argue endlessly about interpretation

but it really comes down to black and white:

Either I believe you 

or I don't

I don't.

submitted for The Mag, Mag 127

and Poetic Bloomings, #65 Betrayal

and Poets United, Poetry Pantry #107

Untitled (A Naani Poem)

Jack Moebes/Corbis

Joseph McNeil (from left), Franklin McCain, Billy Smith and Clarence Henderson sit in protest at the whites-only lunch counter at Woolworth during the second day of peaceful protest, Feb. 2, 1960.

Woolworth lunch counter 1960

School lunch room 2012

Black and White separate

What progress?

submitted for One Single Impression, 221, Black and White

and Poetic Bloomings, In-Form Poet, Naani Poetry