I’ve painted on three coats so far
and I still can see where I was last touched.
you stained your morning breath
onto the inside of my sheets
so I’ve washed my linens 3 times
but I can’t escape you.

I’ll shower for the second time today
until under my nails are clean
and the pores of my skin are bare
until the brush I hold no longer resembles you,
forgive me.

I’ve spent too long getting splinters
for anything other than a masterpiece.