BASQUIAT BIRTHDAY
Dec. 22

We both had part of the street
when an originally aligned
poet and artist
meet in the soul's dark night
of the late Eightees
on Thomkins Square park
Basquiat not yet renowned
in a weighted art history
nor was adopted by any school
or by any theorists or critics
nor yet promoted by the elite
of Manhattan
here he was all alone
half dressed in a nude shadow
drawing in people of all kinds
intellectuals and dorks
nor were we comprehending
what your great gifts were
scribbling patterns of expression,
yet Basquiat still creatively rules
lending you my fur hat
shining in the gaslight
uncombed by recognition
with your cool spark impression
of your drawing boxing gloves
to take on the world's art print
with your fork in gritty graffiti
will make your secret mark
on all of us in this vicinity
awaking in a Blakean
marginal world of infinity
not forgetting to be a younger star
with those enlarged almond eyes
in a human shaped memory
of our own hunger stint
at an art's own circus side show
with a hi five handshake
over a surprised lost miracle
from a Basquiat business
bas-relief narrative break
of his drawings of a cat
and then he was found out
to be really an original mint
making our life delicious
as we choose to honor you
for us to take your part
beyond all staging belief
in a reference frame
of an authentic genius
vetting about fame
that the popular art news
will only hint at your name.