Red

Sara Kumar || Fall 2024

I claim my territory in red,
lipstick rouge on cigarettes and coffee cups 
primal instinct outshadowed by postmodern possession 

Blood drops on the pages of Macbeth as 
I claim a down payment on the truth 
of my existence 

The flames of my Aries Mercury when I lash out at the people I love 

The crimson claws I taint everything with are part of my performative art piece 

I think it’s because I see the profound nihilism in my every
movement
but it might just be because I’m vain. 

Red means love and fire and the border between love and hate that makes you act one way when you feel another. Red means the charge of a bull at its victim when its mind is in fight or flight and also the dreamy haze of nostalgia over your memories of torment. 

Or maybe it’s just the shade of lipstick I like.