Artistic Turmoil

The work of an artistic genius is soaked with insanity.
Moments of splendor and birth, interspersed with times of apathy.
Exceptional creativity is born from the mind of perpetual turmoil.
The work oft done in spurts, between moments of ruin and spoil.

Numerous famous artists were plagued with mental woes.
While many would praise or critique them; they were their own worst foes.
Michelangelo was obsessive, Gauguin was depressed.
Pollock struggled with alcohol, and Van Gogh severely oppressed.

Their lot was not exceptional for the artistic soul.
Life is hard for many and takes a terrible toll.
But they used art to blossom, no matter what form it be.
Their struggles may have aided them to expand what they could see.

Life wasn’t in a tidy little box all wrapped up as a gift.
It came to them chaotically; sometimes slow, sometimes swift.
We all have our struggles, let us use them to expand and grow,
Like the artists all around us, creativity may we show.

So, take whatever gifts you have and share them with the world.
We all have some creativity, let yours be today unfurled.
What gift do you have that you can share with others?
Your life can be a blessing to your fellow sisters and brothers.

© Stephanie Blomquist 2025