Spring 2021
Portrait Emma Nguyen Last night I arrived home with soaked bags and bottles Coat torn to strings that wrapped around my knees You weren’t there to greet me but I saw your painting, A portrait of me Passionate and sincere on the kitchen counter Sleeves still dripping, I dropped my bags and gazed over the beating chaos Mouth agape and crying silently: I saw a smile that grimaced back to me, that Wailed against the wet dirt of my shadow And even then, I knew where you sat: In my room and next to a dim glare Expressionless but feeling my heat and Quivering beneath your foam skin You, the dream that fell down with me, A paper glow that breathes my breath: Whenever the sky turned purple, You’d help me break apart then watch me Glue myself back together again Like a print of churning stars
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