Artist Inspired Poems

The poisonous decadence of the affair itself was

like an artfully arranged chess board, 

with powder blue taffeta sweeping every tile,

wide laced collars, feather hats

and whispered gossip accessorizing each piece.

each modestly accepting venomous compliments,

as competitions of status play out

rumors of torrid affairs, like a snake

slither through the echoing hall,

with each lick of the lips

secrets are traded

for alliances or good graces 

portraits of wealth and beauty

of lies and boasting.

each oil and pastel covering the truth,

rosy cheeks masking diseased souls

no, the unkind images are not welcome

much preferred are the

politics of the paintings, fickle but effective

Revolutions

built on the backs of those paying

for such luxuries as lies on canvases.