Clear And Vivid Eyes Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

A black face.
On a stark and white landscape.
With a look that dares to expose a mind.
Normally no one would notice.
If what was left depicted,
As a caricature.
Quick to recognize.
Coming from a different time and place.
Picking cotton.
Under a hot blazing Sun.
Leaving it to imagine,
The humming of old Negro spirituals...
Being done.
But...
There is something else,
From this portrayal...
The viewer begins to realize.

"This picture.
I've been told is not for sale.
But why did the artist,
Decide to paint the eyes...
Clear with a glaring stare so vivid.
As if I am the one being scrutinized.
As if my presence is being assessed."

-Who knows.
There are some artists,
Who would rather make a statement.
Than to get paid.
And there are others,
Who sacrifice their entire lives...
Being ignored for the work they do.
To end up laboring just for pennies.
Not even worth the attention given,
They eventually get.-