John Something

We had a visiting artist in the winter of ‘96

Who came to talk about his paintings and the shit that make him tick

I think his name was John something

John Something

If at the assembly you’re allowed to cut the class

I was sunk into the bucket, yellow puffy on my lap

Bring on John something

John Something

Hot blooded art freaks take the auditorium

3/4s boorish, 1/4 primordia

Keen to absorb the stories of veteran picture-makers

Even if an unfamiliar name and face or mystery flavor

Say, John something who was punctual to the podium

Visibly uncomfortable, having trouble focusing

Noticing we’re noticing, he pardons the glitch

Says I’m sorry but it’s vital I depart from the script

To where? you had one job

John something, something’s wrong with John Something

Something’s on his mind, he been searching for the words

Even standing at the plate, I ain’t anticipate the curve

He go, “Last night I saw this new documentary

And I can not understate the extent to which it’s affected me”

I’m on the edge of my seat

He said it’s called “When We Were Kings”

This was 1996

He was there to show some photos that would demonstrate his gift

I think his name was John something

John Something

If at the assembly you were seeing something new

I‘m new fan before even seeing what he do

Bring on John something

John Something

When We Were Kings is a documentary feature

On the ‘74 US heavyweight boxing championship

That’s commonly referred to as the Rumble in the Jungle

Where you come to punch or die, as neither party’s crying uncle

The champ George Foreman, vs the kid Mohammad Ali, in Zaire

And other politics involved in the affair

Including rare footage leading up to the event

Plus, interviews with VIPs remembering the effects

So Mr. Something up there, present as it gets

Talking Ali and his confidence begetting his success

But almost referenced as a magic or some extrasensory “X”

That he had witnessed and was duty-bound to tell to someone else

Us, and truly I was hung on every sentence

Though it probably lasted longer than intended, it felt genuine

If a little strange

30 minutes in we have yet to see what you paint, look

January 96

He was there to share his work, maybe guide us through the mist

I think his name was, hmmm

John Something

If at the assembly you were tripping off the tangent,

But also like “I need to see this flick it sounds fantastic”

Or so says John something

John Something

Low on time

John starts blowing through his slides

They were ultimately fine

But the takeaway is praise for this entirely other mind

I’m at the movie theatre, this was Boston 1996

20 years of age, I’m an 80’s Mike Tyson kid

We heard about that legendary clashing of the titans

But could never have contextualized the metrics or environment

Until, 90 minutes of history

And images and music, I was riveted infinity

That walk out different than you slithered in

Every atom in you shifting, christened in the river shit

And I still revisit it, this week winter came

Cued it up, hit play, it felt like someone visited

Any time I pay it forward

I say “this was recommended by one of my favorite artist”, ummm

This person who in 1996

Gave the only artist lecture I’ve remembered ever since

I think his name was James…

John something

If at the assembly and were headed for the theatre

You should put your hands together for the greatest ever speaker

He may or may not be named John

John Something