Curtains

Paint me not, a portrait with academic air-
who stands stately up right, cut marble grandeur
or pomp, draped in royal velvet silks, Bejeweled,
with crowns adorned upon young golden locks
nor set upon grays wisdom to behold in feast!

Paint me not, on lighted stage a blabbering fool
to spout hypocrisy upon the age old golden rule
as did the all that came before the me—and you
through out all numbers passed far before———
our famed beloved, Red White and blue.

Paint me not, in word so loosely termed, a glorious patriot
in loyal service not for self, But for love of country’s benefit
all the foremost; while ego’s bent on power, greed and lust
above all else, whilst is forgot our forefathers history
and sacrifice of our earliest fearless earthly pioneers.

Paint me not, until our Supreme Almighty,
puts in your artist’s hand His brush.

(inspired from a line
“no portrait this with academic air”
E.B. Browning on Wordsworth)