By: Jehangir Saleh
Written: January 1, 2004

It was very sweet of you to call on New Year eve. (if by chance it wasn’t you who called – as my sister sometimes mixes people up – let us pretend that you did)

I hope you had a great time on New Years. Mine was quiet – I worked, watched a bit of the 2nd Lord of the Rings, got a bit sick, and fell asleep studying Beckett in my bed. In fact I woke up thinking of you, something you said once, although I can’t recall it now.

Portrait (Untitled, 2003) Covered by Black Drapery
For ny

You knew
There was only black
Canvas underneath
Although hoped
It would be a picture
Of yourself
In an artistic pose
Holding an object

Those who were curious
Or ignorant to the rules
Would see
The real you

I’m sorry
That art is art
And you’ve always said that
Surfaces matter
The drapes are dusty
Haven’t been opened
Until a very long time