For Sale

This project was originally based on a drawing by Banksy

by Claire Smessaert

The Poem You Asked For

Here is a short animation based on the poem "The Poem You Asked For" by Larry Levis.

The Poem You Asked For

by Claire Smessaert 

Also, here's the actual text of the poem in case you're interested:

My poem would eat nothing.

I tried giving it water

But it said no,

 Worrying me Day after day,

I held it up to the light Turning it over,

But it only pressed its lips

More tightly together.

 It grew sullen, like a toad.

Through with being teased.

I offered it all my money,

 My clothes, my car with a full tank.

But the poem stared at the floor.

Finally I cupped it in My hands,

and carried it gently Out into the soft air

 into the Evening traffic, wondering how To end things between us.

For now it had begun breathing,

Putting on more and More hard rings of flesh.

And the poem demanded the food,

It drank up all the water,

 Beat me and took my money,

Tore the faded clothes Off my back,

 Said shit.

And walked slowly away Slicking its hair down.

 Said it was going Over to your place.

 

Stepping Out

Project by: Liz Phinney