Cup half full by Ivan Jenson

To seek and to never
find and to wish
without becoming
fulfilled and then
to ask and to be denied
by the powers that be
to look and to never
recognize what
is plain to see
like ignorant bliss
with a college degree
then to try to
exit the entry door
is to know how
my ancestors' lost
cause must have felt
like a terminal patient
walking against
an airport
conveyer belt
in any case
I think you get
what I mean
this is how it feels
before I've had
my morning caffeine

Ivan Jenson is a fine artist, novelist and popular contemporary poet who lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His artwork was featured in Art in America, Art News, and Interview Magazine and has sold at auction at Christie’s. Ivan was commissioned by Absolut Vodka to make a painting titled Absolut Jenson for the brand’s national ad campaign. His Absolut paintings are in the collection of the Spiritmusuem, the museum of spirits in Stockholm, Sweden.  

Jenson's painting of the “Marlboro Man” was collected by the Philip Morris corporation. Ivan was commissioned to paint the final portrait of the late Malcolm Forbes.  Ivan has written two novels, Dead Artist and Seeing Soriah, both of which illustrate the creative and often dramatic lives of artists. Jenson's poetry is widely published (with over 600 poems published in the US, UK and Europe) in a variety of literary media. A book of Ivan Jenson's poetry was recently published by Hen House Press titled Media Child and Other Poems, which can be acquired on Amazon. Two novels by Ivan Jenson entitled, Marketing Mia and Erotic Rights have been published hardcover. Ivan Jenson’s novel, Gypsies of New Rochelle is now available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.  

Ivan Jenson’s new romantic thriller novel The Murderess will be published in the summer of 2021 by Dark Edge Press, UK. Ivan Jenson's website is: www.IvanJenson.com