Explaining Us to Them

Explaining us to them is an art project
with finger paints of mess and rainbows.
There are stories between the lines and sidewalk chalk memories.
We are the childhood sunshine painted in the top corner.
We are colored outside the lines and vibrant within.
Explaining us to them
is asking for a story time that will last all day.
We are clay projects still taking shape, rolled out,
left behind and kn(need)eaded.
We are papier-mâché statues that case dark shadows.
Our makers followed directions but only part way.
Our sketchbooks have ripped pages,
torn seams and comic book bad dreams
that were stenciled in without permission.
We are penciled self portraits with features so familiar.
I see your gazes when I look into my mirrors.
Explaining us to them is a list of blended colors.
Red, purple, orange, my blue, your yellow
and we are green landscapes of life.
Our lessons drying one at a time.
We are wiser and waiting to go home.
Explaining us to them is like watercolor horizons
with artists and details the same,
hanging wall to wall beautifully without frames.