If I Were A Painter, I Would Bleed Poem by Sarah Gamutan

When I treat you like a rose, it
Doesn't mean you have petals

And thorns.You to me are
Inexistent inhibition. When I

Paint you, I always question
Why I don't see you in the picture.

Then I see you again. As always,
I will go back to the rose.

I would paint you. I wouldn't
Mind how many times.

I will color you with puce
Or ebony or ivory.

Nay, you will still get me mad.


(After Edna St. Vincent Millay's 'Hyacinth')