for all artists, in all media
Whence their immanent worth derives?
According to economic calculus,
the majority are quite valueless –
their wealth woven into, not around, our lives.
They create, in style crude or lyric,
toward cherished, indefinable ideals,
pursuing what an audience feels,
to make an imprint on our spirit.
Naked, with raw hearts in hand,
they present themselves to be loved or hated,
to be ushered in and adored, revered and feted,
or be thrown out as fools – scorned, banned.
In a grateful shout my heroes I wish to name,
right now their glorious identities declare,
but one shrinks from this because accord is rare.
Better we fill our hearts with the loudest acclaim.