Shades of Pink (Color Poem Revisited)

Carmine Sunday dresses
Ruby cheeks and cherry smiles
Innocence and youth

Prom gown garnished with a scarlet carnation
"Don't stay out too late!"
Crimson woman

Vermillion flowers, a trailing bow
Making way to a man of God
       and a man in love
Fuschsia devotion embellished in passion


Swollen flushed belly
Carrying a tiny pink form
Shouts of hot pain
Glorious crying gift

Nursery, tiny socks, small moments
Smells of infancy
A pastel room
Little rosy girls

Strawberry blond hair
Tea parties, lipstick, first dates
A mother's blushing pride
Growing up too fast

Pallid, needing color
Aged
Shocking coral cheeks, longing  for
      the colors of youth

2002