yellow stained fingers
i wanted to paint myself
a happy picture

splatter the cheap canvas
with a bit of acrylic sunshine
layer it on in heaps

i’ve never believed in
the moderation of joy

finger print smudges in gobs
of goldenrod and daffodil

couldn’t find the patience to wait
for abundance to settle in

footprint on the rug
i never watch where i’m going
stepped right on it

call it artistic liberty
it probably means something
when i figure it out
i’ll call it a sign

maybe next time i’ll know better
than to let it dry
on the living room floor

probably not though

anyway, i never minded
the messes we make
when we’re too busy living
to clean up after ourselves