Can Art Lie?

Playfully soft guitar chords
Fall lovingly from the ethers
Serenading my mind and soul
In a calming soothing embrace.

Although I did not sleep
I feel soft and loved.

While this may be
An illusion 
Perhaps it is a sign
That I can create anything 
In my mind

And if I sustain
The felt image
Long enough 

Fantasy becomes reality
And fantasy was never
Less real
Than reality.

Lately, I’ve had the 
Displeasure to see
That one person
I felt to be pure and decent 

Was an actress.

And suddenly 
Everything made sense.

She never fantasized 
But lied
Even to herself.

She, by the way,
Is an artist.

And while she’ll die
In comfort 
I wonder if she fantasizes 
That she is better than I —
Better then you.

There are many types
Of fantasies.
So I’m going to fantasize
That she could never 
Love me
And always felt herself
To be 
Far above me,

Dropping hints of 
Her service
And her 
Hidden achievements.

She has much to hide.

Her spouse, more.

And we never knew
She was married.

And it’s interesting:
A young lady showed me
How he removed 
Damming comments 
About him from the web.

And with the tenacity 
Of a dollar bill
I viewed records 
Expunged,
A life of deceit 
And violence against 
Lonely young hearts
Of all races and identities,
And bathhouse orgies
A few hours after taking
Communion and professing
Love for his wife
 
And theater performances 
Of sincere love
Of church and Jesus.

But he did not
Remove his wife’s 
Information, far more 
Speculative from the
Perspectives of jealousy 
And sour grapes,

Especially when we found

He wrote every word
Of every review about her.

They are in their 70’s.
He had paid for half 
Their mansion

And he exited.

Because she knew.

But she’s older now
And a bit slower.
Pain is her most accomplished lover
And surely she wants
To forgive,

After all,
Starting a new romance 
With a man without money 
Is too hard
At her age.

And so she loves him.

Because he returned 
For his investments
As Satan will return
For their souls
At the moment
Of death

Because for Lucifer
Love is the biggest fantasy —
And is a lie
That beats all
Lies.

This couple paid
For their love
And lives.

Shortly they will
Pay with their souls.

2.10.25
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Rick Davis is an accomplished artist, poet and musician living in Woodstock, Illinois. He creates from real life and has been known to add cynicism and sarcasm. He attended graduate school at Northwestern University, and holds multiple doctorates.