The Colour Red Poem by Bethany How

The colour of her cheeks as she says goodbye
The colour of the roses you gave her in the morning of your last
The colour of the lipstick she always wears is absent that day
The colour of the writing on the back of her picture
The colour of the noses of the small children crying at the station around you
The colour of the rising sun just beyond the train
Then
The colour of the gunfire
The colour of the paint on your hands
The colour of the fire surrounding the camp
The colour of the faded writing on the picture, hoping for your safe return
The colour of the man’s side
The colour of the flowers placed at the grave of the soldier who saved your life
Then
The colour of the cheeks as she welcomes me home
The colour of the poppies around the memorials
The colour of her lips as her smile reaches her eyes
The colour of the roses I can give her every night
The colour of the passion I can once again feel for life
The colour of war and love