Poems for People Who Care – 1. The Artist, inspired by Hassan Akkad
The Artist
– inspired by the story of Hassan Akkad
The Artist sits cross-legged
lone in his bedroom fortress
avoiding ankles of uncles
jibes from aunties’ moustaches.
‘God willing I will be an artist’
He stirs crayons on a page
‘God willing I will travel oceans’
He slings on: leather-jacket, sports-bag, shades.
***
The Artist surveys desks one to fifteen, beginning the ritual of pens
grasped from cupboard, laid
like a message of intention
sent when the bell rings.
The Artist becomes The Teacher, looking brothers deep in their eyes
tired boy, empty boy, cheeky boy
floating, breathing minds.
He claps, inviting attention
‘This lesson, guys, is a gift!
Let’s talk about people we want to meet from TV and the internet.’
***
The Artist prepared
charged his mobile
‘Goodbye Mother’
put wallet in plastic-bag
‘Goodbye Aunt’
pulled on sweater in rising Syrian sun
leather-jacket, trainers, cap.
This film will be a letter,
perfect and imperfect as ‘O’
sent in pixelated love
when he finds a socket
in the British seaside hotel.
He saved charge for each ‘chapter’-
Embarking, disembarking the dinghy’s arms
while holding a song, twenty refugees strong
‘In an Octopus’ Garden’ in the storm –
‘Look up Amira, searchlights’
flicker in his phone-camera’s lens.
shadows shout in darkness
‘We are saved.
We are saved!’
***
The Cleaner mirrors his mentor
pulls on anti-gravity skin
leg by leg, careful as hide and seek
two spacemen disinfecting wings –
‘Maternity’, ‘Surgery,’ ‘End of Life’ all opened with givers names.
The Artist performs with precision
each surface blasted;
like a message of intention
God willing you will travel oceans
God willing your journey is safe.
The Artist takes a photo for twitter:
his reflection in Men’s Room light
A man of imperishable layers
‘be proud of me Mother
‘be proud of me Aunt.’
He remembers receiving the BAFTA
love sent in pixelated waves
bundles uniform in a hospital locker
slings on: leather-jacket, sports-bag, shades.
TF
