ballpoint

as i print letters
on water color paper

he strings veins and lungs
with flicks of the wrist
and acrylic bristles.
now the canvas has a nervous system
now i can see it beating, patient,
rhythmic.

heaving, breathing
he and canvas shoulder
heavy spectrums,
the vibrating weight of color:
red, brazen, slick
and glaring, strokes like slaughter,
exhaling hard.

under my hand, black ink
settles quietly into off-white.