By Sanaah Contractor
Precious notes of colour
Paint me red, blue, green
How lovely it is to be seen,
To be held and consoled,
Loved and appreciated.
This feeling of forever—however quaint
Being embraced at your good and bad,
To find such love, I’d be so glad.
Reminiscing, collating the unpleasant past,
Grateful for affection that sees through the mask.
The warmth and comfort, so demure,
Its quiet pull, an aching allure.
Strokes of flush, lines of pigment
Oh, to be adored… distance feels malignant.
As he caresses paint like strands of her hair,
So much love in his eyes, such selfless care.
As he slicks it behind her ear,
The red of her blush—oh, so dear.
I’m indifferent though, pardon my words,
Aloof to affection, pecked on like birds.
I’ll never find it. I’ve stopped seeking
Except in my mother’s embrace,
Or my dad’s soft pat,
In my sister’s reprimand when I’m being a brat.
Lucked out in platonic love,
Austerity endured in romantic advances.
I’ve stopped wanting
Unlucky in those fleeting chances.
And so, if love knocks on my door,
Finds me crying on the floor,
I’ll let it hold me, console me
Find warmth in brief gratification.
But make it leave
A lifetime’s promise calls for cessation.
Afraid to hurt, I don’t crave it anymore.
Past wounds remind me what I bore.
So let it hurt. Let it bleed.
Pour out my desires onto the sheet.
Such unconditional love
I dare need.