"Make a Picture"

ever changing world forms a perfect scene
it's fleeting - lasts but for an instant
camera shutter snaps
the scene is gone forever, but the image remains
mechanically captured by the camera - imperfect
only the idea of the scene really
maybe better - idealized, altered for aesthetics
the scene the image conveys maybe never existed

or maybe there is no camera
only the mind captures the scene
the mind of an artist can recreate
or selfishly horde
the mind is a better camera
its perception is fluid
molded by artist into the ideal
it takes shape in words or music, paint or clay

the artist abandons it
not knowing its value
leaves it as an orphan to the world
and moves on to the next creation
the artist lives for the act,
not for the result

the artist defies labels
the truly original gets bad reviews
the critic can not label the unique
in frustration, he decides he hates it
later, once labeled, it is appreciated
the artist does not seek favor
and cares not for reviews
"critics can bite me"