For the bi-polar artist the two modes
are work and sleep versus work without sleep;
sometimes, a creative thought explodes
in a big bang, and other times, it creeps
up and catches you there quite by surprise.
Each mode has both a good side and a bad –
after a night with the muse your tired eyes
ache, and your thoughts careen and twist like mad;
while slower epiphanies will get lost
in the confusion of the everyday.
Of course, the plan with sleep keeps you stronger
and ultimately has a lower cost;
you have to manage how much you can pay
with care – so the candle will last longer.
09 MAR 2003
