When my artwork gets botched up beyond repair
It becomes a metaphor for everything wrong in my life- in a fit of despair
I question every decision that has to this disastrous outcome led
An inability to recognize the disconnect between my hands and my head
My overworked brain hindering the creative process
My impulsiveness ruining the chances of success
The overestimation of my artistic ability that made me choose
An intricate inspiration piece, I should have known I would lose
The admonishing voice of my middle school art teacher I hear
Telling me to be patient and draw rough outlines first, I fear
That not listening to sensible advice has turned out to be
My Achilles’ heel in life, at every turn affecting me adversely
*
After ruminating over my ugly artwork (and shedding copious tears)
I am looking for ways to salvage the situation, such that the painting appears
Somewhat presentable, and the one trick I know
Is to outline everything in black ink, that’s the Hail Mary pass I throw
At my painting, hoping to reverse course like I do
With projects in my non-artistic life that have gone haywire too
*
The completed artwork does not resemble what I had envisioned
But outlining in black has turned out to be a good decision
There are ways to salvage a situation that appears hopeless
In art as well as in real life, I should count that as a success
Passion...unbridled 