Boy, paint dat wall

Painting a wall is not easy.

The potential to chip,

the potential to flake,

the potential to waste all that hard work.

The flaking of a fresh coat,

painted the night before,

carelessly brushed over a layer

not yet dried.

Or the mixing of paints,

not compatible.

Only idiots try to mix oil and water.

The failure to wipe away all the dirt, dust, and debris

before aimlessly smearing the matte red paint 

that looked good at the store,

but now at home,

that same red paint

doesn’t match the couches you bought last spring.

The beige wall looking at you—

It knows you will cover it up,

but it obviously doesn’t want you to.

The fear of painting your wall a new hue

detours you from trying.

Why try if the current tone is good enough?

Well it has faded,

and there are chips around the warm brown molding 

that you and your friend installed two summers ago.

But the paint holds up fine.

As the setting sun 

shines through the small bay window in the living room

and hits your wall,

there is a decision to make.

Will you pick up the paintbrush,

or will you leave it in the bucket?