Mouse Dreams, 36″ x 48″ x 24″, 1991, Steven B. Smith
Lollipop Op
Pastels and chiffon
and fuzzy pink sweater
unbuttoned with my teeth
leaving small breasts blooming
in heat of unrelease
in servitude to looming
decade dating daunt
scared to steal a kiss
if ever came the chance
afraid of the affront
but secret torso touching
in the slower dance
down in rec room basement
slow moving on the floor
stealing side cheek kisses
hoping for much more
leaving late night wishes
as misses outside door
way before French smooching
and doing dirty bop
she was my teenage sweetie
my lovely lollipop
so do the twist and walk the dog
and shimmy ko-ko bop
when the princess kisses frog
I will angle op
move to better whether weather
brighter down the dawn.
– Smith, 4.29.2014
At the hospital yesterday to see if I could salvage my shoulder, I took these shots of my “Mouse Dreams” sculpture which has been standing in the hallway of the Women & Children’s wing for 23 years, same number I’ve been sober. Drank myself to death in 1991, woke in that hospital, and 3 days later when I walked home found I had been offered a commission for their art collection. It was my first sober piece.
With the pedestal, the top of the mannequin’s head stands about 6 feet tall.
The kids love it. So do I. I figured they were miserable enough having to be at the hospital so I tried to cheer them up.
Mouse Dreams, 36″ x 48″ x 24″, 1991, Steven B. Smith