that was washed only
to dirty the water.
i see you,
and i sigh
because i remember that
once i looked at you,
and i saw you,
like a red sunrise,
not a sunset
but a sunrise, red and
beautiful, clean,
but now you are only
an old woman
who i remember.
i see you,
and i am pugilistic
ready to stand up for
a wrinkle on your cheek.