Sculpture In An Open Gallery Poem by Atusaye Mwalwanda

Sculpture in an open gallery

By Atusaye B. Mwalwanda 14/04/2012



An antique artefact once stood here.

But years of neglect debased it.

In great need of dusting and varnishing!

Set under a blue imbued gigantic umbrella.





Many saw the cracking of the veneer,

The flaking paint-works on that sculpture,

Barely after another fresh coat had been applied.



They did unmask it: Lo! Behold its grey undercoat!





Were they jabs of relentless tropical sun that

Seared its earlier shiny coat?

Or the raging hail storm as it stood

Unmoved in this open gallery?



People began to talk ill of it:

About its lost appeal,

Its impassiveness to those about it,

Its meaninglessness.

Eyes became sore at seeing it,

Thrust on them by its curators!



When bestowed to a museum

The newer piece drew admirers

Marvelling at its lustre!