Do not lift the pen

Do not lift
the pen. Don't
even think
about it,
excuses
to stray from
your penciled
gray outlines.

Think of those
light sketches
the way Earth
Mother made,
on her skin,
deep ridges
for rivers
to flow rich
ceaselessly.

Imagine
like rivers
your inkflows
layer on
the graphite,
thick imprints
of your hand's
careful, slight
signature.

Imagine
the quickness,
the swiftness,
the utter
thoughtlessness
letting lines
bear genius,
make mistakes.

Do not lift
the pen. Don't
entertain
doing it:
random strokes,
curlicued
adventures
dry quickly
from previous
glistening
wet daydreams.