Art and Craft 2018: 3

Erased de Kooning Drawing

The basement rec room of the Y smelled
like chlorine and kids. We sat in a circle
criss-cross and practiced accusation: Who,
me? Yes, you. The goal is moving on,
not truth. Lose the rhythm and you're out.

When no one is to blame, you worry
the page clean with grit and gum rubber.
Debriding a stray line doesn't leave
the right answer. Only nothing, or--
what is it? Where the mistake was made
so surely you choose between a tear
or ghost: A thin man's legs and chest?
A wolf's head? The corner of her smile?
Couldn't be. Then who?

after Rober Rauschenberg, Erased de Kooning Drawing