Blushing

Red, just beneath the skin,
just beneath the purple bruise
circles under her eyes.
She hasn't slept in weeks,
minus tonight.

Red, across the bridge
of her nose, making hazel eyes
gleam under a flickering
street lamp, making
her skin glow gold
beside that silver Audi.
She is blocking the driver door,
whispering promises in her head,
thanking the dark that no one sees

red. Running in, flushed
and painting her ears in pink,
where she tucks soft sandstone
hair. She kept her lips parted,
as if to say something more,
but her mind was silent,
her cheekbones brushed
like a seaside sunrise in
perfect auburn-sunburn

red. In the soft yellow,
she can't distinguish
stars from moon
and home from you.

©Jordyn Rhorer 2009