I wore the stick of purple down
to dust, traced its last crumbs into the ground
with brightly colored fingers. Ants
walking away from the site were stained
green, yellow, red and seemed
confused, stumbling in circles,
bewildered by their former blacktop
suddenly bright, a double shock I’m sure
since this home hasn’t held children
in years, and today I broke the rules
that sidewalk art is only for those less
than four feet tall. My hems are stained, my fingers
raw from rubbing last particles
of chalk sticks into swirls, and my father’s driveway
will shock his next door Baptist neighbors
until the next rain.
before & after
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