“benignant severity of Giotto” ~ R. H. Blyth

For Jamie Whidden

A poet looks at life benignly though

Ferocious through the tigers’ eyes.  So blue

In white ones, they are yellow, amber, foe

Of innocence in orange ones.  Only true

Roars are allowed.  Judas kisses Christ.

The painter cannot shy away.  He must

Report it utterly.  Falsehood would heist

Respect.  Where Judases are whanged with lust

For power and silver, artists show harsh fact

As if it’s sacred.  Christ and Judas stare

At truth in front of them.  Prim lips then act.

In art the honesty and threat must blare.

  A monk looks on as two cocks fight, their claws

    As razors.  Truth and pain are slashing laws.

~ Phillip Whidden