Solid Gold Commode

Maurizio Cattelan’s America

By: Charles Giuliano - Dec 11, 2016

Solid Gold Commode

Having to go
At the Guggenheim
Winding down the ramp
Gliding past art
Always unwinding 
Bladder bursting
Feeling the urge
Miniscule toilets
At intervals
The Wright stuff
During the ascent
From top down
Unisex affairs
Tiny water closets to
Do your thing
If one is busy
Move to the next
Wait a minute
Why the long line
Roped off
Guard up front
Can this be
A work of art
Have to see
Curiosity got best of me
Wait not worth it
Time and tide
Moved on a bit
Glanced back
Only four in queue
Gave it a shot
Two women
Quit and left
Moved up
Heard a flush
Then my turn
Burst in
There it was
Quite literally
Solid gold commode
Cattelan calls it America
Tried to lift the seat
No luck
My aim was true
Lingered a bit
What a relief
Absorbed the experience
Rudely absurd
Recalled Duchamp
R. Mutt’s urinal
Dubbed Fountain
Pissed people off
Truly treasured
Dada prank
Same idea now
More extravagant
Picking up my coat
Exclaimed to guards
Black and Hispanic
I just took a piss
In a pot of gold
They laughed
Leaning in one said
That’s America
Sure is I replied
Going to hell
In a solid gold
Crapper
Old Glory as
Wasteland