on Henry P. McIlhenny

The world is a lonely place
let us ignite it with our art!
The china cupboard
The silver soup tureen
Degas’ ballerina, aloof and smudged, pristine

Let us be manic collectors!
Amateur and expert
Eager to display our objects in full
All singular, varied, exalted, sublime— We’ll pour out our passions
Through trifles and things

Our choice, the art that we collect
Animated and alive
Meant to last beyond our fragile bones
Our fleeting souls
An antidote to living
Within our sculpted selves.