When we were just beginning,
when are hearts were just opening,
and I felt like I was dreaming
because love was washing over me,
I decided to draw your portrait
to have something concrete
to do with my hands while you were gone.

The lines that I drew
the graphite smoothing along like a road
to my heart, unwinding under my hand
the shape of your face,
each line had to be perfect
because you were perfect.
I spent an eternity
drawing and re-drawing
your mouth.
More specifically, the corners of your mouth,
which turned up
in the most achingly sweet, mischievious,
painful-to-think-of-now,
way.

I put my love, in the shape of my lover
on paper
in chiaroscuro.

03/15/2009

Posted on 03/15/2009
Copyright © 2026 Vikki Owens