This is another “poetry happens” type of thing from my recent trip to Michigan. If you look around the steel columns on this pier in Holland, Michigan, you’ll find lots of names and miniature works of art done in permanent marker or scratched into the paint. I decided to add my own “mark” as it were…
“The Wanting Pier Prose of a Travelling Scofflaw”- a pictorial poem by Luke Austin Daugherty. Copyright picture and words: Luke Austin Daugherty, All Rights Reserved 2015
Text:
Mind not
This steel column
Traveler
The real poetry
Lies just beyond
In the tempestuous
Blue
In the deep
In the white-foam breakers
In the distant
Canvas sails
Pulled taut (Forgive the use of “taught” in the pic. It’s hard to proofread marker on-site 🙂
By Michigan wind
Wayfarer
Look away
L.A.D
“The Wanting Pier Prose of a Travelling Scofflaw”- a pictorial poem by Luke Austin Daugherty. Copyright picture and words: Luke Austin Daugherty, All Rights Reserved 2015
“You Never Really Know a Person Until” by Luke Austin Daugherty. Typed on a vintage Royal Mercury manual typewriter. Words and photo Copyright 2015: Luke Austin Daugherty, All Rights Reserved
A tribute to the work of photographer and artist, Roger Ballen. The poem was typed on a vintage Sears Newport manual typewriter. Words/Picture Copyright 2015/All Rights Reserved-Luke Austin Daugherty
“That’s it, that’s why you invited me. That’s the image. That’s the image that penetrates everybody’s head here… ‘Uh, uh, uh. Oh, they’re disabled. Oh, what’s wrong with them? They’re weird. They’re strange. Oh, I don’t like what they look like. Oh, he’s an exploiter. Mr. Ballen is an exploiter. He took their picture. Who gave him permission?’ -Yeah, yeah, you’re missing the point.You’re missing the point. Why is the picture in your head? Why is the picture in your head? Why will this picture never leave your head? That’s the answer. That’s the question. Why? Why? Why? Yeah, it’s not because they’re so strange. Maybe it is… They stick in your head because they’re your mirror. They’re your mirror. They’re your mirror. You think you’re civilized, don’t you? Don’t you? But you’re not.” -Roger Ballen, from the video below: Is Ugliness Beauty?
Photo Credit: Roger Ballen’s Facebook album: Platteland- (from his 1994 book of the same name)
I was first introduced to the art and photography of Roger Ballen several years ago via the music and videos of Die Antwoord. His work, for me as a beholder, is all about human perspective. It is a leveler for high-mindedness. It exposes beauty in the forgotten and neglected hideous. His work gets under my skin. It makes me think and re-evaluate. It is offensive to my civilized sensibilities. Is there a higher compliment that can be given to an artist?
“Just be aware that the picture is a complex being. That everything out there is a complex being. You can’t put things into one word. Screw one word. Things aren’t ugly. Things aren’t necessarily beautiful. They are what they are. They’re multi-faceted. Multi-layered, beyond words. That’s what makes good artwork.” -Roger Ballen
For more related information, see the links and videos below. As always, thanks for reading and sharing. -Luke
As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke
Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke