THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?"

WHO OWNS ART?

IF YOUR MODEL DEMANDS HIGHER WAGES

would you offer her the moon?If the frames

cost more than the images within-what price fame?

When the people in your poems demand their own voice

is there room enough in these lines for every choice?

Eye cannot claim to be nor see how babies see,nor elders/

still less indigenous or different cultures.And my sex

is no carte blanche to pontificate @large.But i do..

My life engages you and all who may just read,respond,create

You do not have to agree,nor even like.Response is golden!

Your creativity platinum!And you can remain believer,atheist,agnostic

when it comes to art,music,poetry or life itself(and its representation!..

Censorship shows who owns art.Figleafs and Popes.Buddhist sculptures&Taliban.

Palmyra and ISIS.Hitler valued art so much he stole it.Mussolini authorized bad art.

Many paintings will not survive the marketplace.Value is determined by sellers,not owners

Van Gogh sold one-to his brother,Theo.Picasso,Dali,Warhol sold everything.

Some art will offend you.It needs to live,to throw light and shade on our lives.

The narrator owns their own voice,but not the subject matter.You who read this now-

go out and write and draw and paint and dance your way through this battlefield world.

If you are ignored,and survive,you have won.Just ask Thom.