the outlier...

art is a charmed glass slipper
left on a staircase by a person
in a hurry to escape the revelation
that every artist is an imposter
and a dreamer and a lowly cinder sweep
proof of an under-loved interloper
art is a shoe that fits only one foot
its destiny is paired to only one soul
art is the remnant of a party
to which one was not invited
as they danced the night away
in the arms of a sovereign
far above their station
art is the proof of presence
that does not at midnight
turn to dust, but lingers
fused into clarity on a stairway
to court the lonely princes of perception
and annoy the king and queen of heart and mind
who would have them marry well
art is the thing that because we release it
remains charmed enough to survive our doubt
to become the key to a moment when we were clear enough
to trip the light fantastic and then melt, dreaming, into the night

lucy meskill

illustration: Cinderella by Arthur Rackham