I have come to realize that I am,
and have been for many years,
an abettor of criminal activity.
it was always intentional
but also involuntary,
and, I must add, lacking any
mens rea whatsoever.

In my defense I would assert
that I was defrauded as well,
fleeced by someone offering
culture, albeit some of it
purchased, a few clever forgeries,
some bought from those whose past
would make a fine checkerboard.

But I am reforming, if not
wholly by choice, for now
I live in a cultural wasteland
where there are no galleries
seeking my admission fees
or memberships and the only
art to be found is on the walls
of my favorite coffee shop
and no one would confuse those
with Greek or Roman antiquities.