if I could write a poem
it wouldn’t be about you
these things called words deceive
they don’t show you
they tell about you
they tell you
and others
how I perceive you
if I had to
if held at gunpoint
I would paint you in sunlight
there’d be a brief gentle rain
there’d be white clouds drifting
a small stream peacefully trickling
there’d be colors of happiness
colors of life
there’d be a smile
upon your beautiful face
a warm, thoughtful expression
in your eyes
then again,
sometimes
the gun is empty