Alabaster Anthems

ALABASTER ANTHEMS As artists we should realize that inspiration is often born of pain, Of loss, suffering, of cob-webbed corners with spiders the size of cats. But even we eschew the dark masterpieces written for catharsis In favor of cotton candy catchphrases with esoteric vocabulary to stimulate the thesaurus. The wounded shrivel, dehydrated, as Alabaster Anthems are preferred on the podium. Even rappers, whose songs discuss guns, naked violence, spilled blood Even they dare not spill their OWN guts, their fears, doubts, anxiety. They fight so hard to escape where they have come from Only to find out that they have no idea how to live where they are, with whom they are. Truth doesn’t win Grammys, so they, too, spin their Alabaster Anthems and write acceptance speeches. Success and acceptance comes to those who live a white-washed, wonderful life. Whose veins run with cow’s milk, their homes built with Wonderbread, Their kids bleached-out Brady bunch clones, hugging at the end of an episode. What irony that the flag of surrender is white, when in truth purity is victory, Alabaster Anthem inspiration as empty as the merry-go-round when the carnival closes and the people go home. We have all done it. Looked at caller ID and not answered because it was “Them,” The persons who ramble on about the bad things in their lives like cancer and foreclosure When you just want to watch “America’s Got Talent” You let the call go to your voicemail that says you will call them back — but you won’t. You’re interested in Alabaster Anthems that infuse your day with baby giggles, magic shows, and inspiration. Those lonely, sick, hurting, anxious, empty, on their 12th Reason outcasts Long for a way to expel the filth, restore the sanity, open a door to the light. Instinctively they want to talk, write, sing about it. Therapy begins when the patient is heard and understood And Alabaster Anthems are replaced by Omnifarious Odes. February 14, 2019