Ars Gratia

sleepless

you notice
beautiful shadows
in the dark

you feel
compelled to
capture them

although every stroke
of the pencil
severs

what was once
mended.

you
can’t stop
the paper cries
for more attention.

helpless
you give
everything

hoping
it’s enough.

but it never is.

you realize
this as
the phantoms
form shapes
on the page.

and now
there are
tear stains
on your masterpiece