Universal Voice

“When we call something beautiful, the pleasure that we feel is expected of everyone else in the judgment of taste as necessary, just as if it were to be regarded as a propoerty of the object that is determined in it in accordance with concepts; but beauty is nothing by itself, without relation to the feeling of the subject.” – Immanuel Kant (1724-1804).
 
She had those violet eyes, 
Which sparkled like Canary wine, 
Lovely and lifeless 
Gentle and dead. 
She sang with the angel whine 
Of a clarinet 
The chalkboard squeal 
Of Vivaldi’s violin 
Distastefully agreeable, 
We must all say, 
As one, 
To me. 

Hunger

“The agreeable is that which pleases the senses in sensation… Agreeable is that which everyone calls what gratifies hem; beautiful, what merely pleases him; good, what is esteemed, approved, i.e., that on which he sets an objective value” – Immanuel Kant (1724-1804).

The best cook, 
drew upon my interest, 
which clawed within my empty gut, 
with pleasing savour, 
rich cuisine, 
steaming soft and sweetly, 
devoured,  
that left me 
 
Full 
 
and so durably gratified 
teleologically ended 
by both the meaty, immediate
heart of the matter 
and by the good-for-nothing garnish, 
for your goodness, M. Hunger, 
I have nothing but 
the utmost respect. 

Rule #47: Hard and Fast

“What improves the circumstances of the greater part can never be regarded as an inconveniency to the whole. No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.” – Adam Smith (1723-1790).

I remember the cursed 
Man cursing 
Hard and fast 
Approaching us 
Flat-footed on the flagstones 
Sweeping by in a 
Booze cloud 
Colonic cologne 
Eyes yellowed and roiling 
Spewing forth 
Spittle and Sacrilege 
Unshaven, unkempt and 
Fomenting 
Don’t mind him 
Grandma said 
Dropping one of her 
Toddler-clasped hands to  
Adjust her brooch 
By its Sapphire 
Some people just 
Talk that way 

Love Thy Self

“It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our necessities but of their advantages.” – Adam Smith (1723-1790).

In the Teifi Velley  
In the land of the Dragon 
Black cherries burst 
And satisfy the palate 
Of all who try 
The men are known 
By their books as well 
As their friends 
And leather tongues loll 
In scarlet stain 

Fast Asleep on a Wine-Dark Sea

“By means of glasses, hotbeds, and hotwalls, very good grapes can be raised in Scotland, and very good wine too can be made of them at about thirty times the expense for which at least equally good can be brought from foreign countries. Would it be a reasonable law to prohibit the importation of all foreign wines, merely to encourage the making of claret and burgundy in Scotland?” – Adam Smith (1723-1790).

Spread your green leaves 
All of them are at risk 
Bombs and bullets 
Hepatitis and polio 
Glow beneath the sun 
Will you help stop 
Destroying people’s lives? 
Elderberry Wine 
Its finest moment is 
Being drunk

Sole-Less

“Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production; and the interest of the producer ought to be attended to, only so far as it may be necessary for promoting that of the consumer.” – Adam Smith (1723-1790).

How the structure is left

Exposed

Seedlings in the pulpit
To say it’s been tough would be
an understatement

My feet are freezing
all night long

Scratches in the Attic

“In general, if any branch of trade, or any division of labour, be advantageous to the public, the freer and more general the competition, it will always be the more so.” – Adam Smith (1723-1790).

The exterior is well worth exploring
To the little boy who had no books
Scratches in the attic
Foul harpy
I want the creature dead
Be all you can be
Please, I need your help

Pushed Out

“What is prudence in the conduct of every private family, can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom.” – Adam Smith (1723-1790).

This perfect storm of deep-rooted issues
Uprooted
Pushed out

To the brink
To the streets
To the seafoam

A mortal will come who is destined to dispatch
Trust pilots
Soar against the odds

We are doing our best
A world of wine
She was someone’s child

Night Light

“If their own extravagance does not ruin the state, that of their subjects never will.” – Adam Smith (1723-1790). 

I did not sleep that night 

Athena turned her back on me 

Prudence

“It is the maxim of every prudent master of a family, never to attempt to make at home what it will cost him more to make than to buy.” – Adam Smith (1723-1790).

SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Don’t forget that you can treat yourself
Can the creature be killed?
Disease takes everything
But the love inside
Scan here to provide urgent supplies
Freezing winter weather
Temperatures in Afghanistan can fall
To thirty-four below
Water in its solid state
I welcome the shock of your waters
And the scrape of your
Filth-scrubbing pebbles