Untitled poem

(untitled)

I loved it, finding out

the Buddha touched Earth

with his fingers,

as witness to obtaining enlightenment,

as if Earth is conscious too,

as if everything is love.

Revised poem

 Untitled Surf Poem

So happy padding my way down the trail

to the point break once again;

to take a spot on the bench

under the thatch of shade;

to assess conditions before paddling out;

only to hear word was something about

how I tried to gouge someone’s eye

during a drunken fight when, really,

it was the other way around.

I felt like putting my head in my hands,

the weight of wondering how 

my name could be muddied so;

that anyone would believe it,

how I’ve never touched anyone

unless they touched me first,

and eye gouging was

only in matters of life and death,

not a scrap over words of disrespect.

So long as the point remains

what it’s always been—

most sparkled stage and

theatre of colored firmament—

never let the low voices down the bench

beat you back from what is true:

that words are enough,

and never hit anyone unless they hit you;

you’re here for waves,

not to validate kooks,

in a society near blind.

18x24” carbon on cotton

18x24” carbon on cotton

18x24” carbon on cotton

18x24” carbon on cotton

To Abstract Art Collective

 AAC Board of Directors,

At the end of the recent Zoom meeting introducing new members, it was voiced by more than one: “I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you.” Which underlines a founding principle of the AAC—to facilitate interaction between artists. That was why I finally joined, so bored at this late date, thought I might find a few artists to interact with.

At yesterday's board meeting a member quipped how they only use Facebook to interact with younger family members, and I know other board members who don’t like it and refuse to go near it. Say what you will about FB, it’s been here over a decade, and like it or not, is part of popular culture and contemporary life. In addition, its pages/groups are specifically built to help people of like-mind interact/get to know each other. In other words, contrary to perception of some board members, AAC’s FB page is actually a clubhouse for AAC members to share/discuss. I understand the contemporary conceit that polite society doesn’t spend time on Facebook, but in my opinion it’s fun to join a clubhouse to see what others are saying/sharing—especially if it’s a clubhouse for abstract artists. I currently manage FB pages/groups, it’s very simple, and I’d be happy to take on the task of managing the AAC page/group.

We could create an AAC “group” as clubhouse for anyone interested and retain the current AAC “page” for art notices only, as it currently exists, but at present, to have in place as informal policy, the AAC not using social media—and/or deny other AAC members from doing so—is a direct contravention of the bylaws and thus violation by board members.

Sincerely,
John De Herrera