Red

Red

you said your favourite color was red —

so i bled for you

in words

unsaid.

i wore the shade upon my skin,

in every loss,

you seemed to win.

i turned to flame,

i burned,

i tried,

to match the fire

in your eyes.

a rose, i bloomed

with petals wide —

you plucked me bare,

then left

me dried.

the sky turned dusk,

the stars withdrew,

but still i painted skies

for you.

a crimson vow,

a quiet plea —

you loved the red,

not what was me.

yet still i stand,

though torn in hue —

not all who bleed

are made for you.

i’ll heal in hues

the sun has spun —

not red,

but gold

where i become.

-Rachel Dcruz