I am not.
To claim so would be to disown the tears
I have shed over lovers' tragedy.
For I did weep over the loss of Annabel Lee,
and my soul did mourn the deaths
of Romeo and Juliet.
To claim that I am original,
Would be to discredit those that have gone before me,
And abandon what works their genius has inspired.
To claim this "badge of honor"
Would be to ignore the emotions of my own heart,
Where I lost my breath,
And part of my soul was left on the canvas
that not just my eyes,
but my whole being absorbed.
I am not self taught
I am the product of those before me
And the artists of my generation,
And I am not ashamed.