Virginia Laurie 

Lascaux 

My mouth tickles— No, stings— 
point my pointer to lower lip and there it is, 
pearl of red, color that never lies 
 
Still I take the bead  
and crush it against the wall  
like killing a gnat in class 
 
to watch it smear  
and decorate 
and mostly, prove  
I am a living thing  
like all you living things before 
 
May we forgive each other  
for the lessons  
we never finish learning