paradigm

My dear madam

why? you ask why and

though I deign it quite

personal and proprietary

as things artistic often are with

you I will share my reasons because

I cannot care what others think though

some may like my work while others may not

but it does not matter all that matters is

what I think and how I feel though that is

hard because my skin is so thin you can see through it

but translucent though it may be it remains taunt and strong impenetrable

keeping out barbs and harm protecting my inner soul sustaining its warmth and safety

against the naysayers and misanthropes the skeptics and disparagers those that scoff

disdain and deride because I cannot please them nor do I try because in the end it is only

myself that I have myself to whom I answer myself that must be satisfied and though you may or

may not understand this paradigm it is to that ideal I must adhere lest my truth abandon me to sit motionless voiceless sightless

©Karen Casady 2018