To Write Love on Your Arms

I see you, and I want
To write love on your arms
In permanent, prismatic ink.

And that ink,
I hope it goes, and flows,
Right into your veins
As vaccinate against
The contaminant thoughts
That have been dogging you for days.

I want to have you
Have love on your wrists, on your arms,
And one day, in your heart.

Until then, I want that ink
to be a protection, semi-permanent
To ward off the self-critical words
Which proceed the bite of the blade
Of self-hate

To remind you that
You aren't alone – and hey,
we're right here too.