Long hours of night are not meant for dreaming.
They are for dreams to keep you awake -
to fill books with imagination.

In the early morning, sleep will find you
with palette paint still wet on canvas,
including your favorite t-shirt.

What is a nice, cozy room?
Definition: a bed scattered with paper and pens,
the aroma of hot tea,
the warmth of a little less reality.
One might think you won’t be there much
unless your room is your studio.
It becomes both your nest and next adventure.

If paint stains your hands,
expect to find it splattered in your hair
as well as your heart.
Never forget.
If it’s graphite or charcoal,
it will smear everywhere else.

“What does this mean?”
You will hear this often,
just like “Draw me!” or “Can you do it for free?”
The term is ‘starving artist’, after all.
It's okay, though;
you can always dine on pencil shavings.

Be prepared for beautiful minds -
yes, those of the children you encounter;
if you make pretty pictures, they will swarm.
Remember, they are amazing critics,
the best pupils when they yell “Teach me!”
before throwing crayons at you.
Better than boogers, certainly.

Are you certain you're ready
to leave a colourful mark on the world?
Take a paintbrush and pencil - clay and creativity.
Push those boundaries to the edge.
You are not restricted,
even to be just an artist.

After all, I painted life
within a poem.