! Artist As Verb Poem by Michael Shepherd

Perhaps the world is more grammatical
than grammar: reveals itself, a little coded –
as codes tempt, when grammar hides
under the guise of schoolmaster:

the artist, say, as verb:
as the verb, to be:
luring the mighty subject
beyond all thought, to become
an object we can all enjoy:

the sculptor, deep within his isness,
praying with his chisel
so that Krishna cannot but consent;
entering this stone;

the poet, listening to
the Word behind all words,
charming the spirit of all things
to make all objects sacred in our eyes;

the musician, listening to the silence,
as through his being, pass
worlds of knowledge beyond all words..

we, as heaven’s verb,
watching as subject, object,
make themselves a mirror for each other.
Grammar could be love.