Bart Wilcox
Bubbles and Fish
2026, Acrylic and pastel on canvas, 24″ x 18″

How often I rely on the multicolored catfish
of my dreams.
Although never unconsciously; these bottom-feeders are summoned.
Conjured from noodling childhood memory
to death.
I know what you psychoanalysts will say, so
fuck off.
Sometimes they come together like soap and towels
from the 50s.
Just bubbling up like Canadian Sunset and
Canadian Club.
Sometimes the current air is too unkind to
frivolous thought.
Sometimes one needs to see how long one
can hold one’s breath.