The artist among us, by Laura Alaniz

The artist among us

To be a true artist

Must they be recluses

Crazy mad or sick

Or even better dead

Show me a healthy artist

Who lives among us

Who does not block out this world

Humble - willing to be taught

Inspired by the passer-by

Engaged with mankind

(2014)

Scratchy plaid blanket Red with yellow stripes Hot and itchy underneath Claustrophobia strikes Purple and blue prisms

By nature high-strung But I thought I was strong If not physically, emotionally For things to roll off my back Be mature and take the high road

How do you measure pain? All is relative and personal Even with one’s own self It is impossible to compare As memory distorts pain

A noisy restaurant Listen Focus Beyond the dishes The music

We Are me and you Together Two hearts Two minds

How can I write how I feel When what I feel is nothing? How can I tell you what I need, What is wrong? When what is wrong

My body is perfect —ly spotted The white spots I tell myself Are my Bambi spots

Some I like to share Fresh out of the oven Don’t let it get cold That’s why I wrote it Emotions in that moment

The news hit me Like a punch in the gut I threw up two times From the pain Knowing that I

Clinical smells Polite strangers The only thing worse Than being here Is to not be able

No hay nada más sincero Que un regalo Inesperado Una carta Un chocolate

Algunos me gusta compartir Calientitos Justo cuando salgan del horno Que no se enfríe Por eso lo escribí

Her fingernails Natural Long Pointed On fingers

I told everyone About you The ugly beast Inside of me You can’t hide

Springtime means Berry pickin’ In warm sun Therapeutic Part of me