Thoughts inspired by a recent exhibition in London by French artist, Annette Messager.

I AM


a universe of the everyday –
of identity and desire:

practical, trickster,
peddler, lover;

gap-toothed montage
of photos, string, knives
and soft toys;

bearer of no message
on well-oiled
yet squeaky wheels.

Consider me French,
winds of billowing consonants
aimed across a narrow strait,
walking t/sm/all,
defying customs;

a je(u) of many “mes”,
of the solemn-eyed child
and the fully-grown delinquent;

each throw of the dice
odds-on with a world
of contest, chance,
mimicry and muddle.

My je(u) has no rules,
no aims, no consequences:

all you do is p(ar)lay.