“For Bradbury’ Poetic Narrative On Canvas

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“For Bradbury” is an 8 panel (each 30×40) poetic narrative that describes an individual’s struggle living within the restrictions, deprivation, and expectations of a future world and his/her rebellion against that construct. The poem also touches on the main characters view of human nature.

I wrote this piece in 2012, and it literally just spilled out of my mind and heart over the course of a day. On paper, I titled it, “From Solitude & Darkness,” however, months later, when I decided to transfer this piece to canvas, it really made me reflect as I read it over and over again. I realized the poem is truly a reflection of my readings in science fiction, social culture, and philosophy. As a result, I wanted to dedicate it to one of my favorite writers. The first person I thought of was Ray Bradbury, who had passed away months earlier. He was one of my favorite authors, and I recognized the commonality between the theme of “freedom” and the vision of the future described in my poem and those in his writings such as, “Fahrenheit 451.”

I refer to this piece as a “poetic narrative” because it reads very much like a story, but with some elements of poetry included.

Below is the full Poetic Narrative-

I seek the night.

So hopelessly craving clarity, in a world filled with light.

Everything is beaming, blinding, burning – trying to expose the darkness in me

Always attempting to disclose, and then, erase my identity.

There are no basements, nor corners, nor alleys. I no longer know privacy.

And the corridors I’ve known, are lit so brightly.

There is no longer violence, nor poverty, nor dishonesty…but I would beg to differ,

Although, I cannot make my feelings known.

I am constantly surrounded by laughing, and rushing, and cheering

I note the leering, when I fall silent, in the midst of so much stimulation,

Which becomes such an intense irritation, for me.

For someone with a bit of darkness left…

With an ounce of mystery.

I fear there is no longer anything to live for…

Since

Someone has destroyed the forest-I’ve nowhere to walk

Someone has influenced my neighbor-seldom do we talk

Someone is hunting me, persistently seeking my conversion

Someone is hunting me, hoping that I notice their diversions

Someone will find me, but I will resist

Someone will find me…they know I exist…because

Yesterday

I planted a tree in my backyard

Arousing questions in my neighbors mind.

She asked about the black paint with which I painted my windows.

I placed raison d’être propaganda in an open square…and

I walked slowly, talked slowly, and for once did not laugh,

kept my head to the ground and a few times I frowned

to the dismay of the jolly young woman in the pastry shop

her artificial smile and desire to please

amplified by the high pitched voice from the box in the wall

the yellow and orange hue of the lighting appalls…only me…alone.

I know they’re searching for me…because

Last night

I disguised myself in black (of all colors!)

Up! and down the streets I ran smashing the streetlamps,

The talking crosswalks, the public radios,

The movement activated advertisements in the business district

The clocks in the market that tell you the time before you can read it yourself!

Those wretched cameras that won’t allow for me to have one…human…moment!

They ignore, that we once desired, and were nurtured by solitude.

We will always harbor darkness, and it cannot be suppressed…

by anyone else

My heart is a commingling of the world’s goodness

And all its regrets

Interspersed with hatred, when under duress.

They seek to brighten a life that cannot thrive

without the mystery of the night, of the mind.

They seek to abolish society’s ills by

Illuminating and condemning those tendencies that make us human.

We intend to make amends for our transgressions,

For our darkness, by immersing ourselves in a life full of sensationalized diversions

To keep us occupied, preventing us from thinking and doing anything

That might result in the destruction of a structure that is essentially

Destroying the essence of humankind.

They have found me

I squint from the intensity of their flashing lights

As I sit in a chair in my empty room, for the first time-

In a long time-in darkness.

As they drag me out, I see my neighbor, a woman distraught

Her eyes fixated on me as she follows those who drag me down the street.

My feet scrape the pavement

As I relish in the aggression of the grip of their hands on my arms.

It’s so: human…

Hastily, the feet of my neighbor follow along

A quickening curiosity, and… anger… arises in her confused expression.

I smile.

She grasps at air…sounds escape in exasperated screeches

But words don’t come.

So I speak to her

If I could provide just one night of darkness for you,

Absent would be your distractions.

One night of solitude,

Present would be your humanity.

Your nature, dual…restored

Direct your own nature

You are more, than matter.

Please check out my profile page to find links to my poetry on canvas online!

More info: Etsy

“For Bradbury” Panel 1-2 of 8