A primo ad ultimum

she drew a flower
and painted it white
because that was the color
of her wedding dress and
she couldn't wait to dance
in it, and press
her lips against his.

she drew a flower
and painted it blue
because that was the color
of the sky when he
told her that he didn't
love her anymore and blue
was how she felt when she
woke up without him
next to her.

she drew a flower
and painted it red
because that was the color
of the blood pulsing through her veins
and trickling down her arms
when she had to
remind herself that she
was indeed
alive.

he drew her a flower
and painted it white
because that was the color
of the dress they buried her in,
because she wanted to feel
beautiful again
and she'd never felt more beautiful
than the day she
danced around in it
and pressed her
lips against him.