Overpopulation of Spirit

When we go to the museum
we think there are only
100 paintings in the world
and a painting is by nature
real and celebrated.

But paintings are
as numerous as raindrops.
They are a tide
crushing the resources
of the world.

They are born
from the creative wombs of billions
mostly never framed and rarely viewed
and when they become things
encased into wood or glass

they pour
like molecules of water
into the narrowing space
of dwindling buildings.
We can't have anymore paintings.

Our houses are full.
We are begged out.
We can find no one to
drag them away.