Joanna Gilman Hyde

My lovely daughter Eliza

thinks Eye should take my art down

and repaint over my graffiti

in the livingroom and bedroom —

butt Eye like my graffiti

it doesn’t bother me

and Eye like my art

it fosters me.

Eliza thinks Eye should have dinner parties

and a garden

and Cousin Carol with the voice of reason

thinks Eye should have old people

over for tea

in a graffiti-less house

in a relaxing house

uncluttered by art.

My daughter thinks my house

is a microcosm of my life

butt Eye see my house

as a reflection of me —

besides, my lovely friend Darlene Louisa

likes my house

plastered with my work

and hers.