Yes You May Paint My World Poem by RIC BASTASA

be ready
paint my world
be patient
it is not as white
as a canvass
to start with

i am spotted
like gerard manley hopkins
with his cow
and this trout

i have some
red marks on
my heart and
some stains
in my brains

i am dark
and you will need
nothing black

paint me
with the color
of gentleness
and the color
of your concern

i am not really
lovable but
you may paint
me with the colors
of your love

if you have doubts
don't worry
make something
abstract about me
i won't bother
i am your brother