if pain were a painting
what would its colors be
you might assume black
to imitate darkness—or shocking
white like that of a lightning bolt

each artist’s palette is smeared
with his makings and mixtures
leaf-brown for fallen hair—chrome-green
for stagnation—coaxial-blue
for dead nerves—dull-red
to trace the lips of deformity

forgive me for my focus
how rude of me
here is a blank canvas

and tubes of earthen oils
tell me where it hurts