better eye to eye
than head to head
but better head to head
than back to back
this is the dueling stance,
ten paces gentlemen
then turn and kill
and may the best man win
how do we measure
‘the best’, and ‘man’
while the ‘not quite so best’
die again and again?
Sacrifice is an archaic prayer
of blood, shadows and dark power
but still we feed the endless fires
and the insatiable gods
Art and Poem by Clinock
Sculpture: tête-à-tête by Clinock. H. 8″ x W. 6″ x D. 8″ (varies). Fired and acrylic stained clay / feathers / screws / beads / painted wood base.
Thanks for the Leonard Cohn too!
Any chance I get I invite Lenny for tea at the Cafe 😉
Another provocative offering John. Seeing all the markings stirs my imagining of a monthly rite of passage. A deep slice in the skin bleeding openly and not as can happen silently and behind closed doors. With intent it would add up to an intricate scarification design…intimate and personal scarring. A Warrior’s badge enough for the unhealed wounded and blood thirsty acquired with honor only through self sacrifice and continual self healing. And then some may only need a small star on their back where a wing would be….
Jana, your comments are always wonderful and welcome but some are truly epic…this one is. Such powerful imagery rising from the smoke and flame of your stunning poetry. I hear the art in your words exactly and will probably steal it all at some future point to make tangible with clay. Thank you for this special treat…
This will keep me spinning for a good week! Very powerful!
Thank you my friend…and is your spinning a la Sufi, cycling, or making thread?
Whirling dervishes are seeking spiritual perfection by imitating the stars. You made me seek the stars!
love it!
This is what I mean by ‘trust’ in your work… Thank you, my dear friend.