Exercises in Colour: Red Sonnet

Red was the ribbon that threaded my hair
Red were the candies I bought at the fair
Red was my kite when I ran through the grass
Red was my laughing heart, fragile as glass.

Red were my dresses so frayed at the seams
Red were the poppies that haunted my dreams
Red are the streets with the rivers of death
Red are the eyes of the children bereft.

Red is the wine whispering lie after lie
Red are the eyes that can no longer cry
Red is the mark of your hand round my wrist
Red is the wound from my paramour's kiss.

Red are the flowers that wilt in my hair;
Red are the streaks of my manic despair.