Big Bear’s Dilemma, Paper Promises…

Painting and poetry by Frederick McDonald
1998
Acrylic on masonite
4′ x 7′
Collection of the Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta

I saw in your eyes a moment of light,
I saw a flash of eternity wrapped in
Imagined body ornament,
Marking time.
I saw steel light strands
Holding history silent
For only those who wish to ask,
Who wish to see reality.
I saw smooth expressions
Of time-honoured questions answered,
And I am amazed.
What magnificence that movement
Playing the songs of your night air,
Dancing in dreamscapes of east and west,
Showing you a future, you could not believe.

Your expressions are revealed in this darkened light.

I trace time on the hard edges of your face
And in one second
I am captured forever.
My fingers grasp for knowledge,
For reasons to understand why this injustice;
Why then, why now?
I’ve lived many lives and walked with time
In tracks from the past until only now
Do I know where to find my future.
I look at everything, but nothing
Can tell me about the light
Which steals your darkened moon.

My world is spinning and no shadows exist
Except this one great mystery.

I picture colours and dimensions and levels of light
Reflected from the surface of your heart,
Yet I am taken by your smile.
Eternity, behold this smile,
Let time take notice,
Let history remember,
Let the past present the future light
Of every colour reflected from you.
I paint your emotions on my heart; my canvas
Can only now begin to comprehend the meaning of colour;
All colours come to life.
Let it always be said,
Let my brush forever sing
About that moment I say your light Shining.
The colours pulse and push through my veins
And my heart is no longer numb.

My eyes, remember your eyes,
Your smile, becomes my smile,
And your blood, spilt, runs through my veins…

1 Comment(s)

Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI