(1932 - / New York / United States)

poet Linda Pastan
#209 on top 500 poets
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Vermilion

Pierre Bonnard would enter
the museum with a tube of paint
in his pocket and a sable brush.
Then violating the sanctity
of one of his own frames
he'd add a stroke of vermilion
to the skin of a flower.
Just so I stopped you
at the door this morning
and licking my index finger, removed
an invisible crumb
from your vermilion mouth. As if
at the ritual moment of departure
I had to show you still belonged to me.
As if revision were
the purest form of love.

Submitted: Monday, January 13, 2003


Read poems about / on: flower, love

Comments about this poem (Vermilion by Linda Pastan )

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  • warner treuter (8/19/2010 4:22:00 AM)

    Prime example of a mother's sentiments. Comforting.

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  • Heather Starfire (10/28/2009 10:37:00 PM)

    Although I like the notion that revision is a form of ownership and in some sense an EXPRESSION of love, I disagree that expression of ownership is love in its purest sense. Not a very idealistic version of love, I don't think. I don't know.

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  • Gina Onyemaechi (2/27/2006 10:38:00 AM)

    Bloody deep piece of writing, portraying so forcefully the sentiment of rapidly evaporating love. And the painter adding one last finishing touch parallel nails this piece, Lind. F**k, you're good! Are you ever coming back? Warm regards, Gina (scoring this at 10) .

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  • Scarborough Gypsy (2/2/2006 8:32:00 PM)

    You have not received the attention you deserve as a poet. Such a shame, that more have not read and commented on your work. I will see what I can do about that :)

    Would love to hear from you. No biography? ?

    Kind regards
    Gyp's

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  • Willis Stagner (11/20/2004 5:51:00 PM)

    The more I read this the more I like it and agree with the sentiment.

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