For Jacob Lawrence Panel 61

Steve Dalachinsky
April 2015

for Jacob Lawrence Panel 61 (Colin Ferguson)

the truth itself is a
lie
the awkward way you have
of moving your toes
along the richly
woven
rug

the story you told
before you settled in and
settled down
on the hard wood bench
noose that killed your
father
swinging ever so slowly
above your bowed
head

the lie is supplementary
to the truth
you wager your words
as if they were
your dream
( your father’s dream )
come to life in the courtroom
and slowly swinging in front of your
judges
who are yourself

come
now that the room is full
let’s go home
you can easily be driven mad
by being told what it is
they think
you need to learn
the truth and the rules are not the same
bang on the skin of your dream
( your father’s skin )

the only space
still empty
is that clean corner
where the two walls
meet
that north/south corner
let’s stand there and hold each other
in this too real passion
we’re involved
in

i believe in your defense
only your words no longer count
the lie is stronger than
truth
rules are meant to be broken
(by other men)

the truth’s a lie
let’s go home
now
the room is full
now
let’s go home…
or at least let’s sit in the back.

Jacob Lawrence:The Migration Series,1940-1941,#3,#14,#49,#59,#22,MoMA(One-Way Ticket Exhibition),Images Arteidolia