Artist At Work

For Malcolm Bennett

The
Knife goes ahead of the eye
Persuades
Colours to walk the plank of your
Imagination,
Tests
For mines that detonate in your head,
Feels out
Each half-lightwave length
Of
Moth-eyed stippled heather,
Performs
Brain surgery on the old and jealous Gods
Of
The black atomed gulleys,
Bisects
Their might-edged coded calligraphy,
Discovers
A lost aircraft,
Acts-out
Camouflaged fuselage,
Elects Time
Its scabbard soul,
Elects itself
Co-pilot for the flightless
Under
carriage
Of the
Earth's burgeoning, ballasting
Patience .........

Paul Yates