Rainbow Man

In a city where color was the reason we came

Puffs of vibrant blue, piercing yellow, neon purple, lime green, highlighter pink

They filled the air and smothered my face

Until my white clothes turned pinkish brown

With muddled spots of brilliance peaking through

We washed away the millions of grains of colored powder

We so gladly accepted smothered on our skin

But to this day, the shirt that was once bright white

Is stained with the colors of joy

Everlasting vibrance masked to the naked eye

In a city where screaming rainbow is almost boring

I never expected the most colorful person

To be dressed in plain blue and monotone gray

My bright blue scarf stitched with birds of paradise and reflecting silver beads

Couldn’t outshine your energy, your smile

As you directed us into silly poses

For an hour

A distraction from the bus now hours late

Golden hemmed pants were no match for your wit

Because color is held within