Painted Faces

Painted Faces

Position your fresh face towards the golden sun.

Hold on to yourself, sit still, please don’t touch your face.

This will only take two minutes and you’ll be done.

The stool’s three olive legs vibrate with excitement.

My nerves jump in unison with each palm unclasped.

Put your hands upon your lap, show some refinement.

Time passes slowly, the sweat drips down my thigh.

My cheeks are staining the dusty slate gravel.

The pay-off a beautiful butterfly.

Two minutes takes two minutes and we’re done.

A happy kid with pink and yellow wings,

feeling like I’m not enjoying the fun.

Colorful faces, filled with impatience.

Sprinkled in talc, phthalates, acids, and oils.

Bronze-masked beauties in coconut fragrance.

Melanin and magic combined to make… you.

Different ages, places, some strange faces.

The face you paint is yours, just please no tattoos.

At least not on your face. That's the one place,

you should protect and cherish it with care.

Your tan skin shines in this glitter paint grace.

As we make our way back to the stage,

the sky opens up with clouds of rain.

Your face shaded by a pamphlet page.

The butterfly remains intact.

Tears and rain are mixed together.

Sister sees us running and laughs.

Under a white vinyl tent,

the butterfly multiplies.

A hug from one to the next.

The anticipation,

the fear of finding out,

it was too much for one.

Painted faces melt,

into each other.

And it’s no big deal.

Laughs continue,

glitter sparkles,

the tears do too.

Butterflies,

colors, and

painted lines.

Glitter,

face paint,

and smiles.