Jared Bernstein
Good Enough , 2020
acrylic, oilstick, spray paint and colored pencils on canvas
179 x 213 cm
70 x 80 in
I’m burdened
Jumping through hoops
Dodging hurdles
My blood curdles
Time is fertile
For planting a flower
I’m no longer a spring shower
I’m more subtle
Stepping over a muddy puddle
Handing over all my troubles
Bursting all my bubbles
It’s my hobby
No reason to be cagey or dodgy
I’m wobbly
Flooded by memories
Of my contemporaries
Pushing up daisies
When I flex
I can be macho but mainly I’m
Dainty
Saintly
Reflecting
Remembering myself faintly
Instantly and innately
Patiently
Quietly and quaintly
It’s insanity
This calamity
All I have is this mirror
For basking in vanity
Triviality
I’m slamming the door with
Finality
Gracefully
Maintaining my dignity
And humanity
With humility
I never lacked
Proper etiquette
Tit for tat
I smell a rat
Just cause I’m a big baby
Doesn’t mean I’m a brat
Just because I’m giving up
Doesn’t mean I quit
I’m not losing hope
A new fire's been lit
I’m equipped
To handle any threat
No need to fret
Over a gentleman’s bet
Whether major or minor
Let’s settle this debt
Once and for all
Bury the hatchet
Say goodbye to regret
I gotta eat
Once my appetite’s been whet
Without my intellect
I’m just an ordinary twit
In the midst of a fit
For heavens sake did a
Double take
To prove I’m no fake
By the hand of fate
I’m heavenly sent
Hell bent to repent
Start a new ascent
I won’t relent
Without a chance to vent
I’m not content
With just one lament
Each time I pound my chest
Another dent
If we both say yes that’s
Mutual consent
Here’s my two cents
That’s money well spent
A moonlight tryst
I want to live
Not merely exist
I gave you the plot
Now here’s a twist
You sit on the steps
I’ll blow you a kiss
Who could possibly resist
A proposition like this
The days are getting short
The hours getting late
Dusted myself off
Stood up straight
It’s an important date
Can barely wait
I’m squeaky clean
With my clean slate
Ready to greet my fate
I forgive myself
Can you relate
$15,000
Click to frame
view on wall and purchase.