What Does Art Mean to Me: K. Kabasha Griffin-El

What does art mean to me?
If I had my way, Art would be a proper noun
It's much more than a person, place, or thing
Art is universal
Much more than even a global thing
With Art I can travel through the cosmos
And even become a star
I can travel through time
I can even be reborn
I can make a mistake
And create a new slate
I can Cre-ate
With Art I can be the big "G" o d
If it's to be
It's up to me
With Art I can create my own vitality
Reality
Image
Of
Me
Art is an expression of my thoughts, my emotions, my desires
An extension of my all, in all, of the All
Art is my forefathers, my ancestors, my descendants, my progeny
Art is the sperm that swam an acidic sea
Art is that ovum, 50%of me
Art is the earth, the sky, and the sea
The rabbit, the birds, the bees
Art is every perfect imprefection that my flesh eyes have yet to see
Art is everything
That's what Art means to me
(c) K. Kabasha Griffin-El

Poem: WAR Poet: Chuck Zehring

WAR
(for Line and Sami)

(read in the manner of the spoken word)

There's been a war raging for the past 400 years
the goal of which has been money and privilege for some
at the expense of other's life, limb, and tears.

There's been a war raging for the past 400 years
against the people who look like you by people who look like me;
all just grease for the slave machine's gears.

There's been a war raging for the past 400 years,
there are only two sides;
as John Brown, Malcolm, and others have made clear;
standing, fighting, in the light or hiding in racism's shadowy fears.

There's been a war raging for the past 400 years,
the tab has been running for far too long,
it's time the account gets closed--stamped in arrears.

(c) Chuck Zehring 11/4/06

"Nemesis" Acrylic & Oil Collage

(c) Angel Ortiz