Beauty depresses me,
knowing that it’s temporary.
Positivity requires too much energy.
And even if I were happy,
I wouldn’t admit it,
for that would be an insult
to those who are not,
and those who pretend to be.
February 12, 2019
Beauty and Happiness
December 30, 2018
Is there Life after Art?
One more week. Emptyscapes Extended until 1/5/19.
Lora Schlesinger Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave. B5b, Santa Monica CA 90404
December 2, 2018
Deep Sentiments about the State of the World
What’s On Los Angeles Pick of the Week
http://whatsonlosangeles.com/murphytottenham.html?fbclid=IwAR1_-BimRe5IJDMmgLolcIuuA4qSHklc0MHSLBOEwWHq9e_KlDID5Fz1uSo
April 9, 2018
Soar Into a Rosy Zone of Contemplation
Now unavailable on Instaflam:
https://www.instagram.com/johntottenham/
… Put it out there and watch nothing happen.
May 28, 2016
The Solution
I recognize the ideal,
of what I’m ideally working towards,
but I’m incapable of realizing it.
So why not satisfy myself
with what I imagine
I’m capable of doing
rather than actually doing it?
That seems like a reasonable solution.
But isn’t that what I’ve been doing all along:
basking instead of striving;
recognizing what I’m capable of
and settling for less?
Which is actually a long process
of resigning oneself to failure:
basking in the glory of potential
and potential glory,
until potential is dead.
July 13, 2015
UNDIMINISHED
From now on I’m going to be a shadow
of my former shadow:
Living in the present, negligibly,
and regretting the past, sweepingly.
As for the future, I’m not sure if I have one.
But I’ve been saying that for a long time,
and I’m still here, even if I am
ten years behind my time.
Make that fifteen.
December 4, 2013
My Late Style
There no longer seems to be any point
in pointing out the pointlessness.
It hardly seems worth lamenting anymore.
After all this talk of giving up, just do it.
Don’t worry. Nobody will even notice.
August 27, 2013
The Loneliness of Fulfillment
I felt satisfied.
It was an unfamiliar
and unsatisfying sensation.
I wanted it to end.
And it soon did.
July 5, 2013
Before the Fact
I have mixed feelings about death.
It seems like the sensible option,
and it would certainly make a nice change.
On the other hand, I have some concerns
about incompetence and pain…
May 13, 2013
A Richer Victory
Broke, bitter and alone.
What more could I ask for?
I have failed, at last,
beyond my wildest expectations.
I don’t understand
why I’m still not satisfied.
John Tottenham 