Just ‘Hangin’ Around

I don't know when this slightly crazy departure from my normal poetry came to me, but it did.  I found it the other day when I was finally keeping my promise to myself to get all my old writing, handwritten, word processed, typed, up onto a modern computer.  I altered it a bit because I felt that there was an opportunity to explore the difference between doing things for the sake of it, and really wanting to do what it is you're doing.  There's more joy in authenticity.

Just Hangin’ Around

(Kissing)



It’s quiet

The lights are out

Alarms are set

It’s peaceful



I love the quiet of the night

The silent glistening halls

Undisturbed by voices or motion

Anonymous



But only too soon the doors will open

Bringing those who know

Those who think they know

Those who think they should know



Lights

Bells

Background music

Action



The doors fling wide

Many voices

Many guides speaking many languages

The sound of ears pricking up hoping to be educated



Questions

Do you have anything from Picasso’s Blue Period?

(Did he have one?)

Have you seen Whistler’s Mother?

(Not since she died, no.)

“Third floor on the left sir.”



They pass through

“Ere George, look at the knockers on that!”

“Really Tarquin I think it’s most sexist
that only the women are naked!”

(Renoir must be turning in his grave!)



They pass us by

Three seconds to glance and feel educated

A few moments to roll famous names off the tongue

(Poor Klimt, poor us, to be so unappreciated.)

The artists soul laid bare for thirty seconds lopsided perusal

Shame

   It’s wonderful when a shining face appears before you

Tears glistening at the corner of an eye

Soul on full display

The people who ‘get it’

But



Here they are the couple we dread but will love

There’s one due everyday

Visiting the Lambeth Museum you know

(It’s the Belvedere and it’s in Vienna, bless them.)


Faces shining

“Ere Billy, does he wear a fig leaf because
e’s ashamed of what e’s got?”

Cue raucous laughter that upsets the aficionados

I quite like that

“Dunno Martha but I wouldn’t mind
hanging around with you dressed like that?”

“Oh look at her dress!  And they’re kissing!”

“Reminds me of us Martha”

She blushes

They don’t know what they’re looking at but we've made them happy



They’re adorable because they may not be
from the art appreciation society

But they’re truly enjoying this experience

It’s not a right of passage – an obligatory visit

They’re enchanted and enchanting



Then they’re gone

Feeling thrilled and educated

Having had fun

Leaving me and ‘er just hangin’ around

All the better for witnessing real enthusiasm

And authentic joy

(even if Renoir might not see it that way)





Deb Hawken

Sometime this century