Glenn Kennedy Louisiana painter
November 23, 1958 - November 22, 2006
poems by Ben Rogers,
Lacey Stinson,
and that greater poet which breathes through each of us.
"THE FEBRILE, SUB-ROSA LANGUAGES OF MYTHOS"
Vague terms to be cleared:
"febrile" of course means "feverish",
"sub-rosa", --"under the rose" and of secrecy
"mythos": of all that is mythic
THE FEBRILE SUB-ROSA LANGUAGES OF MYTHOS
To Glenn Kennedy
The febrile sub-rosa languages
of mythos are so eagerly uttered
in grunts by a caravan's leader.
He leads, and the caravan, a chain,
a talisman of distance,
links to the sands of the desert.
His speech, the visceral throb,
is really not understood
by anyone; yet brings relief
into ears that search the night sky.
What pay for the leader
who breaks out the dull light,
its transparency but a mirror
of night's invention?
What cost does he assay
for his formal knowledge
of the mystery? And what
febrile sub-rosa language
will he make at journey's end?
1988 Ben Rogers
I N T H E H E R O I C R H Y T H M
___________
Glenn Kennedy, in memorium
The heady light is in straight trajectory,
With blue ambiance to keep the tilt spectral,
To keep whatever curves the eye there, unforgotten.
Uncloudy measures, where the rain-break splits the diamond,
Are the inch and mile, combined to reach Elysium's hall,
And there to wait for uncommon grace, and no world's lack.
Paint us a fine start to the finest end to all our woes,
And if in time there is a better mark, make that;
Or sigh on just a thought, a nod to work that's done,
And let that endless stretch be just a coat to wear,
A color blending taste and touch and ample sight
That's reached, and reaches on, to final rest,
and newer birth.
2006 Ben Rogers
THE PAINTER ON HIS OWN
There is a sadness in the orchard
which grants no solace through sentiment.
This road's feeble apex but a mere
light shining where expectation dares to go,
the lesser dark horse of one's own choosing.
"He has a nose for things," she said, with gall.
It is not how you say it that matters,
but whether you say it at all.
2006 Lacey Stinson
You weren't unclear, and neither was I.
You understood perfectly, what you were saying...
and I understood perfectly, what I was saying!
– Robert C. Whitig
