Kaleidoscope Heart

I am a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors—a patchwork quilt of every splash of greenblueredpurple that has painted its way into my soul.

My Grandmother— she is Bordeaux wine— full-bodied and Earthy like the land she and Grandpa spent their lives caring for— She is the color of midnight magic, all the knowledge and sweetness of the Sacred Earth in her stern gaze and defiant smile.

My sweet friend, my Soul-Sister, she is the vibrant pink of the sky at dusk. Every bit sunset daydream and laughter and charm. Her Wonderland eyes never flicker.

Mom—my gorgeous Mother— she is love-at-first-sight red. All fire bright and passion burning. Take-no-shit but leave them yearning. Violent love, but quiet embers turning in the fading fireplace at five-in-the-morning. A gentle scarlet light always dancing in her eyes.

Dad—reserved as ever— he is espresso brown. Reading glasses forever falling down the bridge of his nose. Book in his hand, book by his bed, book on the coffee table he built. Smoothe, calm, unbothered on the surface— the quiet man alone, not lonely, in the bookstore café. But the moment someone downs that shot of espresso— a shot to the head— every bit as loud and jolting— a bitter smirk on his lips and an opinionated laugh in his belly. And the dregs sink to the bottom of the ceramic glass— waiting, settling, like he knows something we don’t.

My Brothers—like the opposite polished sides of the same coins our parents wear about their own necks—one is forest green, one is sunlight yellow. Forest green—he is true peace. As tall and wide and giving as the seasoned trees along the hiking paths he so loves to walk. The one you look to when the ground beneath you shakes and you lose your footing. Sunlight yellow—blinding and unsure of himself, but playful and powerful and proud.

My Love— he is the inky blue of the night sky when it’s lit up by stars and the full moon—the kind of sky people look to when they make wishes upon falling stars. Vast, but balanced and comforting and unpolluted by city lights.

I am a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors— woven together pieces from my family, friends, strangers who have shaped the multicolored path that I walk. I carry a part of each of them within me— in my kaleidoscope heart.