Mythos & Marginalia

2015 – 2025: a decade of days


j.g.lewis

  • a reason for being

    Each word, brush stroke, and
    movement (physical or musical), 
    conveys a maze of emotions, a 
    moral or motive, 
                                  and 
    it does so with intention. Art 
    has a purpose, even in the most 
    conservative or mundane setting, 
    it brightens walls, pumps life 
    into the our superficially sterile 
    environment, 
                            filling space 
    often reserved for mediocrity. Art, 
    any art, is a celebration, an occasion, 
    a happening or happenstance, 
    behind which rests a soul 
                               struggling 
    to release frustration and fact.
    The premise of art 
                                     is simple, 
    though in all its complexity 
    lives are lived and memories retold. 
    Sometimes the moments are 
    hardly even bold, but in 
    each nuance there is blood rushing, 
    and a voice dying (no, living)
    to be heard. 
    Art, any art, 
                         is an attempt 
    not to dream, and not to believe, 
    but to breathe. 
                       Art is a reason for being. 
    To uncap your mind, and 
                     open your eyes, 
    is to brush away the cobwebs, and 
    clear out the channels limiting 
    society’s authentic ways. To embrace, 
    or accept, 
    or even acknowledge effort, 
    is to allow a word to exist on 
    a weather-beaten page, an abstract 
    concept to play out on another plane, 
    a sound to survive yet another day, 
                                  and a dance to be 
    negotiated through an
    inevitably cramped space.
    Art, any 
    art, 
           is communication 
            if not 
    confrontation. 
    Address your demons, speak up 
    for those who choose not to, 
                                     push back 
    minds who see investment and value 
    as only monetary concerns. 
    Increase your worth. Don’t let art 
              become just another choice, 
    shape your work 
    in the rhythm of a voice.

    ©2016 j.g. lewis

  • 09/27/2024

    Neither common sense nor familiar adage holds true. On this day.

       What it seems, all it appears to be, is uncommonly incorrect, consistently confounding, and occasionally borders on delusion (even deceit), despite its honesty.

         Trust your instincts.

       Your vision may be blurred, or the definite perspective is altered by subtle expectations yet, deep in your gut, you know what you are doing.

       Look past the obstacles; do not be deterred by the follies or fantasies of others. They do not know what you truly do, nor have any knowledge of your clear intentions. 

       Be confident in your own wisdom, it is both personal and acutely accurate. Your impulse is far greater than your capabilities.

    09/27/2024                                                                                                        j.g.l.

  • dialogue

    When we tell ourselves what we tell ourselves, is forgiveness ever part of the conversation? This is dialogue only you can hear; shouldn’t you pay more attention? Go easy on yourself.

     

    09/26/2024                                                                                                           j.g.l.

  • wordless poem

    Each line speaks in ever-present tense, past 

    shadows whispering still, amidst perpetual 

    foresight. Memories commence for a stanza 

    or two, if you are prepared to listen.

     

     

    © 2024 j.g. lewis

  • in my experience

    The next chance depends upon your last reason, whatever that was.

       We all have a lot of reasons, claims, explanations or affirmations. Excuses are different, both with chances and the latest reasoning. No revelation there; haven’t you known for some time? You have no excuse. You’ve simply waited for something better to take place, or come along, or happen on its own.

       Look at you. Still waiting.

       What else would you do?

       Is hope that much different than chance?

       Not in my experience.

       Now, I’m not sure of my fitness to offer sound or superior advice, but others — those who seem too frightened to dream — genuinely embrace this dire expectation that we shall all be lulled into complacency.

       Sounds like absolute mediocrity to me.

       For no other reason than that, I’ll take my chances.

    09/24/2024                                                                                                               j.g.l.