Was it a moment of sanity,
Or had I gone mad?
Daring the near impossible—
Of painting Forgotten Lore.

I knew myself not to be mad—
For I had faith.
Blind faith at least,
Or should I dare mention colorblind.

The colors, they aren’t correct—
Reds are orange—
Greens are blue—
Oh, but my heart wanted to paint.

And, my God how I needed it—
Or, I shall die trying at least.
Pretending would be one thing—
But lying to myself, I can’t.

Tis my passion is art,
And the art itself is all I know.
My battle with each color—
I feel it laughing at me.

Sketching the mere scene—
A chore all in itself.
The angles— the lore—
The sunflower! Ah, the sunflower!

Would it, or could it bring me peace
Could it bring me balance—
And allow my eyes to see color,
Or at least as others see them?

’Twas not attempting that ate at me
For if I am wrong— would only I care?
This, I have no answer—
Alas, Forgotten Lore!

(Written for the painting titled ‘Forgotten Lore’)