JOURNEY INTO ELDERHOOD: It's a journey with many stops along the way and enriched by the people I meet. So, stop in and visit. You're welcome...
04 May 2014
The Color of Fire
call
me red
like flame
quick
hot
but tempered over
time as flame can
be tapered, or does
it spark and sizzle
fanned by winds n'
fuel we know not,
an inside glow that
lights, dims by need
of dawn, dusk and
dark night? Ignite
red flames n' shine,
shed bright light,
illuminate the night
Fireblossom, at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads, is hosting the now monthly Flash Fiction 55. My hair used to be red (up to my 60's) so here's my 55 as a shape poem. I was called red as a child and hated it but I've decided to embrace it here.
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55 words and in shape too! If red hair has anything to do with a passion for life, then that is still visible in your style!
ReplyDeleteOkay, let's say it has to do with passion for life- I like that!
Deleteused to go to take back the night, which supports and brings awareness to women attacked in the night on college campus...your last lines took me back there...nice concrete poem..
ReplyDeleteI'm familiar with this movement and I'm glad undertones of it seeped through. There's lots for women to re-claim.
DeleteFrom one granny to another I love this .. for me, it was about so much more than red hair!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, of course. Granny-ing's a blast, isn't it?
Deleteit's cool when we manage to embrace the things about us that are different - it's cool to make the best of it and in doing this everything changes.... happy sunday to you mary
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about embracing all parts of ourselves.
DeleteUs reds have to stick together! (Of course, mine comes from a box!)
ReplyDeleteYes, we do, however it comes.
Deletea beautiful shape poem with deep message...love the concluding line...
ReplyDeletea message to me as well...
DeleteRed hair.. a flame in the dark.. illuminate and that temper.. really cool...
ReplyDeletemy husband saw a bumper sticker: I brake for blonds but I back up 20 feet for a redhead!
DeletePowerful piece. I read it first as fire and inner light, and only second as hair. It's a candle! And it works both ways.
ReplyDeleteYes, I meant it both ways. Thanks.
Deletewow! this is stellar, love it. love your use of 'n, it adds something here. very very nice!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad- I used then to make the look of the candle work.
Deleteprecious poem...
ReplyDeletewe have a red-headed grand daughter! it is a deep red, with golden highlights in the sun. and this red head is studying japanese in college and will be spending this coming year (her junior year) in japan. she will stand out. :-)
tessa~
I have 3 nieces with red hair just as you describe. Your granddaughter will stand out in most of the world actually. The only place I feel right at home and look like many others is in Ireland. It was a remarkable experience the first time I went. I go frequently now.
DeleteYes, it can be read has an actual flame or the glory of red hair. Love it
ReplyDelete...or igniting the flame within.
DeleteWonderful shape poem.
ReplyDeleteMy brother Clint was a redhead (now grey, like me), and his two sons are redheads. I always thought some day I'd have a daughter with red hair, but I didn't have children, but I have those red-haired nephews, and a darling auburn-haired grandnephew.
K
It's what my mother wanted as well- luckily, since I was the only girl, I had red hair. I thought I was adopted since no one else in my family had red hair. I learned later that my grandmother, who I only knew as white haired, was a red head when she was younger. My grandfather caleed her the red fox when he met her.
Deletebrilliant, Mary ~
ReplyDeleteThanks, M.
DeleteJust wonderful-- great sound and images-- all of a terrific piece. K.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your kind words.
DeleteLovely job, Mary. I like the depth and range you give to the color of fire.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hedge. I like your phrase- the color of fire.
Delete