the artist and the man

the artist and the man are one. yet they are often divided. the man contains the artist. he nurtures him, grows and tends him. the artist needs the man. for it is from the man that he draws his inspiration. when this relationship is healthy they give and take. the man gives the artist what he needs to create. he offers him time. time to reflect and time to be free. the man and the artist may take long walks together regularly discussing the deep things that matter and searching for new ways to communicate them. the artist takes these thoughts and turns them into something new and gives it back to the man. the man is enriched and blessed by the artist's gift and seeks to reward him with more time.
but often times other things make demands of the man. he falls in love and starts a family and soon they too want more of the man's time. the man invites his artist to join in and give something back to the family as well. and at first the artist is happy to do it, but after some time he begins to pull back and grows selfish. he misses the time alone with the man and demands that he give him more time. the man is torn. he loves his artist. the two are one. but he also loves his family and is divided. the artist finds he is a second, and begins to pout. if the man will not come play with him alone he will go off and leave. perhaps never to come back.
and for a time he does just that. he leaves. at first the man misses him. he wonders if he made the wrong decision. maybe his artist was more important than his wife, his family. he grieves the loss. and after a time his mourning ends. although he aches as each day goes by and feels like a dismembered creature, he accepts the loss. he knows that he must be true to the man and his family first. time goes by. and one day the artist shows up again at his door. he is starving, hysterical and naked. he begs the man to take him back. he says he will do whatever he asks, only that the man would take care of him again. the man takes him in his arms and brings him in. he cleans and clothes him. begins to feed him slowly. and soon the grateful artist is well and healthy once more. like a prodigal son he has returned. and although he wants more and more than the man can sometimes offer, he is grateful for that which he has. and the man is grateful too. for the artist has helped to complete him and give him back that which he needs to share with those he loves.