If I Had a Paintbrush

🎨 If I Had a Paintbrush

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

If I had a paintbrush,
I’d paint the whales back into the sea,
Across dull grey walls and fading dreams,
In colours loud enough to set this city free.

I’ve painted under Burrard Bridge,
Where the light leaks through the cracks,
Where no one asked permission —
But I gave the spirit back.

I’ve painted in Mexico at my Posada,
Where the sun sings brighter songs,
I painted on a shop wall across the street,
Where colour always belongs.

I painted at Piña Palmera,
A place of hope and care,
With children who spoke through colours,
And beauty beyond compare.

I painted my kid’s room with stories,
And canvas after canvas too —
In watercolour, ink and acrylic,
In guache, and every hue.

I don’t wait for Biennale invites,
Or rich men holding keys —
I paint because I have to,
To lift up roots and trees.

If I had a paintbrush (and I do),
I’d paint dolphins in the sky,
And cedars on each condo wall
Until the towers cry.

I’d paint the laughter back into parks,
The spirit back into stone,
I'd paint until Vancouver
Remembers it's not alone.

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💔 We don’t need permission to dream.

Let’s paint the truth.
Let’s paint the healing.
Let’s paint the whales home.