i painted myself in a rainbow of colours,
manipulating mixtures of paint on my skin,
over and over until i had perfect shades
to stroke across my arms and call artwork.

i strung together words,
enveloping myself in the creation of a melodic song,
hoping that i might be lucky enough
to whisper the lyrics into your ear.

i balanced myself like a violin;
my body supported only
by the tips of trembling fingers
and resting on the promise of a steady chin.

i gave myself to you,
a gift,
that i mistook
for something you may value.

i fell through your hands,
the weight of my body,
too much
for you to hold.

paint dripped from my skin,
as each word that echoed
off of your perfect lips
bleached the colour from my soul.

the melody that i once sang,
faded from my ringing ears.
it was tainted with the sounds
of my gasping for air.