Ink

His needle brings
the clarifying pain, spreads
the shades
of blue-black and ochre in short strokes
caressing epidermis
until she moans, faints, hours
tick by, days pass
until the cloak of many colors
is finished, he never ceases as hot pricks
crackle, and at last she is
the Illustrated Woman of her own dreams,
dressed in petals and feathers, until
only hands and navel, neck
and mouth remain exposed.