Smear / by Devin Williams

I paint my canvas smear;

the color of the universe

too fast to see

shaking ceaselessly

with fear.

I paint the world my shade of joy.

My unknowing unraveling present.

Scattered memories of smiles and laughter

fill in the crevices i dodge

Unknown—putrid, runaway unknown—send me

fear for pastels and

detective hands for brushes

And too rigid my stroke

to paint the world electric

I paint my canvas smear;

too slow, I paint still.