Other kids do sport or maths-like shit
they thrive on a challenge, good at it
but not Dimitri. He's the dark one.
The one the teachers mention at break
warning of the great lengths he'll take
oddly unique, scary. Often contrary
he won't confirm like the others do.
He's a disappointment. Warning you
watch that boy! He'll offend, annoy
and let down any who depend on him.
Said so many times his light grows dim
sputters to almost out, drowns in doubt
all cos of what other people surmised.
Dimitri is left out, forgotten, ostracized.
But when he picks up a brush I could cry
weaves patterns indistinguishable to eye
all bold colour, decisive narrative, fierce.
In a real world he's Expressionist's tears
too full to bursting to hold anything back
his heart is far from black. It's just deep.
He's that one they don't wanna keep
cos they fear vision too anti-conformist,
but stare long enough. What do you see?
I think I can tell what's told by Dimitri
through his brush strokes and colour,
the dark grabs me. Whispers in my ear.
"Ahhh tell no-one else, the answer's clear
we can't give in to those who'd silence us."



© .Garry Saunders

based on the painting Haunted Manor by Dimitri L'hermitte