Two Poems by Lesley Burt
5
Self-portrait as Black Square
After Kazimir Malevich
Come, find comfort in my cracked song
of layered night
my call and response in mute
cacophony
my noir equation
for the naked ear.
I am doubt squared – this way up
equals this way down
time's gunfire in the dark
on my peeling face
white crevices where truth
lies through its teeth.
I am meaning void of meaning
darkness brought to light
painting's requiem
for itself.
I am the answer to all or
nothing at all –
sometimes I dream of being
a sunset.