Painting Lessons

You can’t just paint my elbows blue whenever you want to.

Don’t dip them in watercolours and glue

Unannounced, impromptu.

I can’t smear all my blouses with paint that looks like bruises,

Can’t simulate the symptoms for you

Or your deceased muses.

All my summer dresses haven’t been ironed or washed out of fear

That you will grow jealous for me trying

More than once a year.

My jeans still hold juniper green stains from the day we met.

You still make my hair stand on end

With a single stroke and a threat.