paint me in long gentle lines
making me taller than I am
head tilted just so
and posed somewhere between
sweetness and seduction

my face should be soft
with round lines
thick like a mask
that’s only sometimes transparent
and a curly crazy frame
of hair that makes me
look too much like a child sometimes

but real eyes--
paint them the shade
of bluegreen that sparkles
when I am feeling alive
glancing just beyond the picture
searching for something more

smallish lips on a
mona-lisa mouth
enough of a smile to make you wonder
what I really see

a long neck
and fragile
from keeping my chin up

gently paint the curved lines
of shoulders flowing into arms
anxious to protect
and poised like the ballet dancer
I always wanted to be

strong hands
gently stroking keys
on an imaginary piano
subtle and delicate
reaching
always reaching

paint me in pastels and watch
as my colors grow brighter—
bolder
and flood the canvas with
life

and where my heart is
leave it blank and
watch it
slowly transforming
always moving
breathing
never quite complete

08/01/2006

Posted on 08/02/2006
Copyright © 2024 Kate Swearingen