One narrow seam where the pattern won't meet I cross the room; my eye comes back Left side level, right side low Half of a flower cut by the seam Paint fills the join from years ago A hairline split under one more coat I knew this wall before I knew doubt Now one small edge brings every flaw out I trace it upward, stop, restart Count each mismatch like a private charge This used to be the background Soft enough to disappear Now the room is still familiar And I cannot leave it there Wallpaper teeth Where the two sides fail to meet Every edge I painted over Leaves its pressure underneath I was begging for one surface I could enter and disappear Now the seam cuts through the picture And I lean in far too near IT CUTS WHEN I PRESS! Corner to corner, panel to panel I find a brushstroke hiding the damage One print doubles, one stem bends One painted split begins where another one ends I hate the surface for showing the join Then hate my eyes for needing more proof I did this too: overlap, conceal Hold every conflict perfectly still Call it complete if the border won't show Call myself whole if nobody knows WHY CAN'T I LEAVE IT ALONE? Wallpaper teeth Every overlap cuts deep I keep asking one flat surface To make every part agree I was begging for one picture I could enter and disappear Now the seam reflects the pressure I have carried year to year You were only strips of paper Joined and painted on the wall I was the one who made the joining Mean the failure of it all If the pattern has a border It is not a verdict yet But my hand still wants to cover Every place the pieces met I WON'T BE MADE SEAMLESS! Wallpaper teeth Not a mouth and not aimed at me Just the edges of the pieces I demanded not to see I won't call the joining ugly I won't beg to disappear Let the pattern stay divided I am angry, I am here The seam stays visible The room stays mine I stop reading accusation Into every broken line
