Red and Blue

Last night I couldn’t sleep.

I migrated to the sofa and lay awake,

watching the silhouettes outside on the blind.

I wasn’t daydreaming

because it was night.

I suppose I was ruminating.

I wondered what I know of desire,

how much is balanced by restraint.

The colours red and blue

these I know.

Last night my son broke a glass.

I had been standing in the kitchen in the dark,

the light turned off

after the last evening chore,

looking at my phone

to pause and scroll.

He came in, reached for a glass

and then, seeing me,

knocked it to the ground.

It shattered.

I turned the light back on.

Large and tiny shards everywhere.

He is apologetic.

I thought you were going to jump scare me, he says.

I guide him around in his bare feet,

fetch him water,

send him back to bed.

Half an hour spent sweeping,

checking for glistening flecks.

The worst thing would be bright blood

on those defenceless feet.

My quest for desire mustn’t hurt anyone.

I make a rule.

Blue Slippy (WIP), oil and acrylic on paper (40 x 55 cm)