Philip Guston Painting of the Courtroom

They've thrown the painter in the trash, upside down,

no less, his red pajamas and feet sticking up in the air,

with his shoes on. The large red hand of judgment

pointing at him, that gives us direction and law

and shame, gives us a large red headache.

 

While the head of the KKK stands by

for the next order, ready to mete out

punishment, and smoking a cigar.

They are so efficient, like ex-Nazis.

 

As they already threw the painter

in the trashcan, yelling out:

Next! Who's next!