Red

Red entry to a black and white world Red laughter round my mother’s pearls

Red dream of stairs descending down Recurring from a tender age

Red pills thrown up on preschool dress Red towels clean up the mess

Red matching dress with mother the material shared amongst each other

Red dressing gowns in silk Hong Kong visit brought sumptuous thread

Red apples bitten white in the garden I had to be Rose Red,

my sister claimed Rose White was the good one.

Red tantrums flushed with rage Middle child should stay controlled

Red cushion on the piano chair Music expressed what my heart not dare

Red pom-pom hat in the winter air Diving in raked up leaves with not a care

Red strawberries plucked from the garden Dusted with sugar and devoured with cream

Red cardigan to keep me warm Shared from big sister once she had outworn.

Red plums, mums and daughters picked and sliced for the annual fruit bottle up, Fowler’s Vacola of course

Black cat poised with a red ribbon On a box with chocolates hidden

70s style maxi red gown with mother Beautified to appear with father.

Recurring dream red carpet stairs To lavish room, vermillion chairs.

Red bible read aloud each morning Each child would tell of angels and warnings

Red special dress worn for the Queen Dad had helped with the immigrant’s dream