Ivan Jenson

Star Spangled

I am
a half-mast flag
flapping in the wind
representing a fraction
of my country
having spent over
half a century
undocumented
by historians
living out the improv
of my destiny
and one day they will say
that I am survived
by the blinking and breathing
who will cough and cry
at the monotony
of my eulogy
and what remains
of my karmic debt
will be repaid
where my best
plans will finally
be laid down
in the anticlimax
of my nakedness
don't worry
only worms
and angels
will know what
to make of this

Ivan Jenson is a fine artist, novelist and popular contemporary poet who lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His artwork was featured in Art in America, Art News, and Interview Magazine and has sold at auction at Christie’s. Ivan was commissioned by Absolut Vodka to make a painting titled Absolut Jenson for the brand’s national ad campaign. His Absolut paintings are in the collection of the Spiritmusuem, the museum of spirits in Stockholm, Sweden. Jenson's painting of the “Marlboro Man” was collected by the Philip Morris corporation. Ivan was commissioned to paint the final portrait of the late Malcolm Forbes.  Ivan has written two novels, Dead Artist and Seeing Soriah, both of which illustrate the creative and often dramatic lives of artists. Jenson's poetry is widely published (with over 600 poems published in the US, UK and Europe) in a variety of literary media. A book of Ivan Jenson's poetry  was recently published by Hen House Press titled Media Child and Other Poems, which can be acquired on Amazon. Two novels by Ivan Jenson entitled, Marketing Mia and Erotic Rights have been published hardcover. Ivan Jenson’s novel, Gypsies of New Rochellei is now available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble. Ivan Jenson’s new romantic thriller novel The Murderess will be published in the summer of 2021 by Dark Edge Press, UK. Ivan Jenson's website is: www.IvanJenson.com