For Artists

An artist, in whatever way
Whether with paint, or music
Or frail poet — the hardest and most keen
Must always weigh his art and his living

I will perform and adorn my spirit
Or perform and let monetary gain
Become THE object.
But be warned!
He who puts lucre first will lose his art
Contrarily the man who sacrifices all
Who suffers and denies
Gains every wealth
And may well find
Everything “added unto him”

Above all, learn compassion.
Know that you are a part of that eternal “whole”
Offer kindness when your heart shrieks rejection
Then you will find
They will respond
Not always — but one will
And that will be enough
If you can turn one soul around
You may have found
A Delius or an Elgar for mankind.

Fame is ethereal.
Love is eternal.
Never forget your purpose.
Many a man has “Failed” himself
Only to find
His Student learnt from him
And is the Master in a future time.

by Lorna Bain — December 29th, 1985