by Edward Lee
Your colour is trapped
under my fingernails.
It pleases me
to see it there,
a reminder of you
and our splintered lifetime
of stolen nights
together.
If I could taste that colour
I would, but
by doing so,
by darting my eager tongue
beneath my nails,
I would risk erasing the remains,
and no longer have you
so tight against my broken skin,
now that you are gone,
your corner of the world monochrome.
Edward Lee’s poetry, short stories, non-fiction and photography have been published in magazines in Ireland, England, and America, including The Stinging Fly, Skylight 47, Acumen, and Smiths Knoll. His debut poetry collection “Playing Poohsticks On Ha’Penny Bridge” was published in 2010. He is currently working towards a second collection. He also makes musical noise under the names Ayahuasca Collective, Lewis Milne, Orson Carroll, Blinded Architect, Lego Figures Fighting, and Pale Blond Boy. @edwardleewriter on twitter, @edwardleepoetry on instagram, @edwardleewriter on facebook, or edwardmlee.wordpress.com.
