Old Tommy

collage painting on Stonehenge grey paper
44 x 30
WWI series / $3000


Though still in life
He seems so pale
Grey and pasty as well
Out of this paleness rises a fire
The red of agony or madness
Or both and more
Spreading its dark stain
Across his mind’s battlefield
It pushes his new mask
New mask be strong
Keep me sane
Stay in this world
Did his mask blend and you see troubled
Or is it a real look on the inside and you hope
Those kinds of troubles stay there
The regimental tie
That waiting serpent round his neck
Will see to that.
– Peter Keefer