Shades

I see how the blooming rips you open

For all the world to see,

And I hate them for seeing you,

Hate my brother for keeping you up there,

Your mother demanding flowers

To bring the fruit to die on the vine,

giving life to the fruit.

Petals robbed of moisture

By the burgeoning

Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini,

aubergines bursting into life

out of the heart of the blossoms.

I know they come from you.

Why can’t you see me

Tending these other fires, the ones

That can never be extinguished.

Would that I could kill Prometheus,

Bring him to tend the flames

He loves to give away

So I can give you what you need,

Hours in my bed, the inferno

Forgotten, the other souls

On their own while I

Bring you down into my arms

Into my legs, into me.

I want the time to fill you with fire,

Let it blaze out of your eyes,

Lava coursing through your veins,

Magma in your heart,

Burning the flesh of the others

Who touch you,

turning every flower crimson,

scarlet, vermillion, claret

burgundy, copper, carmine, cerise,

carnelian, cherry, garnet, chestnut,

ruby, rust, and russet.

Pomegranate.

Let every shade of red paint

The petals of your beautiful blossoms,

The entire world

Ablaze with the subtleties

of the color of our love.