A child into the world

A failed painting
           can often be resuscitated
and that’s where the art lies :
           one has to examine the dead canvas
and imagine how one can
           breathe some sort of life into it
That’s why so many artists
           are reluctant to let their work
leave the studio
           they need to be certain
that what they have created
           will have an existence all of its own
that it will stand the test of time
           and require no explanation
or props to keep it alive
           Just as one would not want to send
one’s children out into the world
           vulnerable or defenceless
it’s an act of love
           towards one’s creation

John Lyons