*****

Recorded Reading (3:47): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vcopwtq8kju8z8d5t6tb0/By-Heart.mp3?rlkey=lalt1lu4sabqyap0yt34nzkbk&dl=0

*****

By Heart

One day some enterprising scientists
Got out their calculators and their lists
Wondering, when it came to make a choice,
Which mode allowed the chooser to rejoice
After the choosing had been made and done
In confidence ’twere aye the better one
Had been selected out of any pair
Or set of options, common nor yet rare,
As fate may have seen fit present them to

Which method brought more happiness unto
Present deciders? Was it intellect
Or instinct which the inner will perfect
By manifesting in its outer form
Anticipated as will best perform?

So gathered they a great variety
Of every kind of printed art there be
Some of this sort of subject, some of that
Appearing deeply textured, nor yet flat
Composed each of a variance in tone
Some dark, some colorful, some neutral bone
Otherwise, geometric or obscure
Or image graphic, linear and pure

Then gathered they, as well, under their gauge
Some citizens of every walk and age,
Split the entire assembly into two
And took each half a sep’rate room unto

Then in each room gave every one the choice
Of all the prints. They only had to voice
A pref’rence, they were told, to afterward
Possess that choice by way of a reward
Their kind attendance such a study of

In one room ’twere advised that it behove
Recipients to give a proper weight
To mental method, thus to hesitate
At each potential hanger on a wall
To ascertain whether it feature all
The traits his future tempers might desire
Diligently of self timely inquire
How’t might be liked in such and such a mood —
“Still better,” “Just the same,” or “Not as good”?
Calculating lists were passed around
Numeric’lly to tally what they found
Inducting and deducting thoroughly
Future contentment guaranteed should be

The people seated in the second room
We’re asked to sweep with quite a diff’rent broom
Encouraged by those present to observe
That print to’ard which each heart natul’rally swerve
In its first moments observation of
Nor to attempt by mind to climb above
Methodologies elab’rate with
But make a choice and stick to it forthwith

Presently issuing that building from
Participants earlier to it come
Bearing away, each rolled up ‘neath an arm,
That on the journey it not come to harm,
A print they had decided on that day
Some in one, and some in another way

In two weeks more we see them all return
Their duties for the study’s finish learn

Again they taken are to here or there
Again of pers’nal choices made aware
Offering to each participant
The chance to trade for one they more might want
By all means, to exchange they may refer
Any other selection they prefer

And do you know, my friends, what happened next?
The mental choosers by first choice were vexed
But those prints had been by the heart begat
Most wished to keep — what do you think of that?

*****

Until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ and to begin once again to create professional connections and to rebuild her life, this poet presently lives homeless and at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level ~ still working seven days a week to contribute to her society, however.

Arts patrons may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S, or choose to send a personal check to the poet’s ABLE Nevada account. It takes about two weeks for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts.