Lipstick Stains

Teacup.

Clarinet.

Napkin.

The places I leave my mark define me.

If I want to put my stain on the inside of a football helmet,

LET ME.

If I want to smear fuscia across my boxing glove as I wipe away my sweat,

LET ME.

If I want to leave mauve on the blade of the knife I hold clenched between my teeth,

LET ME.

It is up to ME where I leave my trace.

You don't get to pick what I can and can't put my mouth on.

I want to put it on happiness, hope, determination. But mst importantly, if I dont want to leave my lipstick crushed into the backseat lining of his car,

I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.

If I don't want my lipstick staining a cheek, a mouth, a chest, then

IT SHOULDN'T BE THERE.

If I want to leave my lipstick on his soul, not on his body, then

LET.

ME.

LEAVE.

IT.

THERE.

I want to walk alone down a dark city street, knowing my lipstick gets to stay right where it is.