Wherefore Art, by Jack Belck

Just Looking, photography by Lorette C. Luzajic (Canada). Contemporary.

 
Wherefore Art
 
Cast out the triptychs.
Cast out the saints.  
Cast out the people
that artistry paints.
Away with all nature.
Away with all form.
Away with the substance
that once was the norm.
Eschew the censorious
accept the notorious
and mediocrity victorious
praising as most glorious
Now's artist
So artless and bold
voiding vanity and brains
in the sandbox called his soul.

​Jack Belck

Jack Belck is a retired university publications editor.

Editor's note: The image was an editorial selection to illustrate the poem, which was not inspired by a specific artwork.