12.26.15

Today I Put on Ruby Red Lips

Today I put on ruby red lips

Red, because the blood from my wound has yet to congeal

Red, because your words hit me with the weight and repulsion of uncooked meat

And because your stain upon me is more permanent than Merlot

Red, as a warning

That these lips have touched things

You things

And have spoken things

You things

But also that they have kept themselves shut

And held back from saying things

Me things

So today my ruby red lips are parting

Their muscles are loosening

Allowing for sweet air to enter

And for beautiful words to escape

Red, for power

Red, for strength

I may no longer have you

But I have me and my ruby red lips

Together we smile

And give kisses that leave traces of fiery dust from Mars

And laugh, exposing 32 incandescent moons

We will keep reaching for the world

Until we can swallow it whole

My lips are an ornamental frame created out of fire

Warding off pains and sorrows

And outlining the fortitude that dwells inside

They’re too powerful

For you

They’re too luxurious

For you

They’re too sensuous

For you

But they’re quite perfect

For me

Today I put on ruby red lips

My ruby red lips

And together we smiled

And kissed you goodbye