Can You Dig It?

The Fun Gallery
by Kevin Young


A buzz in the air
already, Basquiat
beaming. RAY GUN

set to stun
--maximum--a hold
up in this hole

in the wall,
a billion
paintings pinned

to dry wall
like butterflies,
stomachs. He's made it

all from scratch
& paint.
The work's too low

his dealer warned
--everything should be higher
to keep up

your prices,
speed. All night
the crowds line

outside like Disneyland
& love it. Taken
over Manhattan

he's King
Kong or Mighty Joe
Young, social

climbing--gone
from trains
to scale the Empire

State. Keeping most
of the show
for hisself, hitches

a limo to Bklyn
by dawn--the armored
car hour--up

early--or late
--as if to his own
funeral--

"Papa I’ve made it"

hugs & hands
him a blooming
bouquet.



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From To Repel Ghosts by Kevin Young - Revamped from its original "double album" version of 350 pages into this unique "remix," To Repel Ghosts captures the dynamic work and brief life of the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.