Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion

My moniker to these
things is
big and long
rounded on the ends
but soon to fray
from these
punches

++

Porcelain Jesus
with these

fingers of rods
together in a circle

and,
i suppose,
we could say it's
a
spoke on your
Conestoga

disrupted by this bite
that wild Joseph

has sitting between his thumb
and that other digit with its rod

poking you,
once,
and
causing this

kurplunk

toppling
The Great Wall of China

++


Egon Schiele
first taught me about
fingers and all of the
sad explosions of aluminum
and pink stick

that they
may cause

to those who recklessly
spread them out on
old willow tables

to be painted

but soon learn

that paintbrushes are
a lot like knives