Sal

Sal chose crayons
His instrument of choice
Waxed color on paper
Instrument of youth
Surfaces covered thick
Pigments coating unevenly
Pure blankets mostly
Although periodic breaks
To show the glory of the younger child
Pure scribble raised to high art

Scratched from out of the hues
Scratched as if whittling away waxen splinters
Scratched as if Jefferson himself
Were laying down the words of splendor
Test of freedom
Beliefs on truths
That changed the world
Acted as modern-day gospel
Retold take of The Fisherman
Ideals to live by
Ideas to empower generations to treat one another
As brethren under a blanket of blue pigment
Broad American sky
Broad American landscape
Green pigments
Beds of grasses fields and forests
Mixed dollops of reds yellows browns purples
At times paste raised and thick
At times scratch has reaches down to paper
Now to tell a story of the wonders of the Northwest
Streets of Seattle
Waters of Puget Sound
Peaks of Ranier Olympia Baker
Folks of the neighborhoods
Teams families classes playgrounds
Offices hospitals factories loading docks
Day care centers nursing homes
Universities high schools night schools
Houses on the hill
Rains descending on the valley
Broad bright sun
Rises and sets
Life itself

Sal chose crayons
His instrument of choice
Waxed color on paper
Instrument of Youth
Surfaces coated thick
Pigments coating unevenly
Pure blankets mostly
Although periodic breaks
To show the freedom of the young child
Pure scribble raised to high art


For Sketches
Denis J. Kelly
June 13, 2012