Poetry about Art – San Fran Review

a Martin Van Buren frottage, part I

Where is Martin Van Buren

now that America needs him?

(glaring up from a creek

bed in Novato California)

a Marin Van Buren frottage!

(Where is Martin Van Buren, now that America needs him?)

when Martin Van Buren appears
we give a toot.
we are the only duly recognized
Martin Van Buren authority.

we’ve learned well from history
what would Van Buren wear?
what would Van Buren say?
what made V.B. presidential?

the Martin Van Buren look.
the Martin Van Buren way.
Martin Van Buren’s greatest hits —
a Martin Van Buren frottage!

Martin Van Buren’s hairline
evoked his life and time
his bulbous nose and pointed chin
the world might never see again…

a Martin Van Buren frottage!

George Grosz - bob plainwilder poetry

wild mongoose of an artist
in the social fray
turned hot lights on everything
a prophet of his day

grosz gonzo grosz
extremely rare visionaire
his thoughtful winning shine
needles a civilization in decline

authoritarian decadence in
brushstrokes big and bold
grosz unequaled social critic
prescient foretold

casting poignant spotlights upon
cultural degeneration
bureaucrats misguided
moneyed interest waving fist

seeing through the careless snipes
who’d wipe goodness from our midst
stout hearted artists like george grosz
today are sorely missed