The Artist

Trickling droplets of water
dripping soundlessly at dawn
singing birds
rejoicing
as the artist drew on
picturesque sunsets of cotton
meadows of green
-- silence
poisoned by beauty
his eyes barely see.

Zigzags and scribbles
in dark crimson red
caressing to and fro
the frail whiteness of death
shedding perspiration
chewing his bread
completing the last stroke
the last droplet of sweat shed.