Let me lay down these strokes of absolution
like paint, colors sinking deep
into the paper, spreading out
at the edges of the lines,
color changing what you thought
had been the story, what you thought
was the starting point,
color saturating you until
you are wholly changed  –
no untouched spaces,
every part rendered brilliant,
none neglected,
none shut out

And whatever amends are called for,
you are now well equipped
to make them, cozied up,
as you are, in the inclusion
of every last corner of you
in the color that’s given you,
the love that is yours.

©Wendy Mulhern
February 15 2022