From the archive, this is an ekphrastic poem in honor of the artist Robert Mapplethorpe and their piece “Phillip Prioleau.” It was requested by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to promote Mapplethorpe’s exhibit during national poetry month in 2018. (Above) A graphic composed of the poem’s previous drafts. (Below) “Phillip Prioleau” by Robert Mapplethorpe which inspired this piece.
“Phillip Prioleau” by Robert Mapplethorpe / Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation via Getty Images
“Mirror of Multitudes”
A shutter can seal timelines like *click*
we can measure time with light
conversation. We were always just
kids, right?
We understood blood sacrifice early on
*click*
Sure, different masters, but we both believe in honest work.
To see a new destiny on the other end of a lens
is to hold hands with God across an unwritten stanza.
*click*
*click*
*cli--
