From Gauguin To Moore

George Thaniel
From:   Canadian Forum, 62 (720) (1982):10; 62 (724); (1982/1983):20.

Primitivism is rouching roots
atoning for the paternal sin
paving the way for the analyst.

The eye must grow tactile
to suffer crudely shaped forms
in wood (a lamberjack's showcase)
in stone, in bronze, and iron.

The sign "Please, do not touch"
invites touch
but you recoil from touching
it is the eye that must play this part
the eye will grow tactile
and will even feel the vibrations
in Constantin Brancusi's The Kiss.

Poem 1 | Poem 2 | Poem 3 | Poem 4 | Poem 5 | Poem 6 | Poem 7

George Thaniel's works copyright © to the Estate of the author.