If There Were No Paintings

If there were no paintings in the world,

Mine would be very important.

Same with my songs.

Since this is not the case, let us make haste to get in line,

Well towards the back.

Sometimes I would see a woman in a magazine

Humiliated in the technicolour glare.

I would try to establish her

In happier circumstances.

Sometimes a man.

Sometimes living persons sat for me.

May I say to them again:

Thank you for coming to my room.

I also loved the objects on the table

Such as candlesticks and ashtrays

And the table itself.

From a mirror on my desk

In the very early morning

I copied down

Hundreds of self-portraits

Which reminded me of one thing or another.

The Curator has called this exhibition

Drawn to Words.

I call my work

Acceptable Decorations.