Sexton

* Sexton Disguised as a Ghost Stood Still as Stone

by David Hockney,

taken from the story "The Boy Who Left Home To Learn Fear"

I have begun my freedom and it hurts.
Time opens out, so I can see its end
as the black rock of Mecca up ahead.
I have cut loose from my bases of support
and my beasts and burdens are ready, but
I pace back and forth across my right
of way, shouting, "Take off! Move out
in force!", but nothing moves. I wait
for a following storm to blast me out of here
because to go there freely is suicide!
Let the wind bear my responsibility.

*Alan Dugan