Words

red, white, and blue

by khai do

the white room painted over

still wet

the red drips drips drips.

on the surface I watch and inhale 

the gasoline chemicals. and last night

and the night before and now. and now

and tomorrow and now.

the dye hardens. and now I still smell

before. yesterday. whitewash, no redwash

the stain settles. deep red. still beneath

yesterday. I open the only window.

blue sky.