The Essence

The Essence

of Color

Each color on the rainbow is equal

Inspiring both a positive and a negative

Violet, for instance, could be the beautiful irises in my front yard

Or for the angry bruises that pool under my skin

Blue for the turquoise waters I see in the Caribbean

Or the turbulent rip currents that suck me out in the Pacific Ocean

Green is the luscious grass I roll down on the hill

Or the mold that collected in my shower stall

It could be the yellow of auntie’s tasty lemonade on a hot day

Or the stubborn mustard stain on my favorite shirt

Perhaps the orange of my best sherbet

Or the result of a bad tanning situation

It could be the red of the setting sun

Or realizing even sunshine burns when I get too much

These are all things

but when it comes to people

It is the same

There is good and bad in all of us

When I see my family, I don’t see color

It is black, white and brown all spun together

Like a beautiful sweet, smooth piece of taffy

But I also see the causes that divide

Let us celebrate the diversity of all colors

Get to know someone before casting judgement

base our relationships on something deeper

and live in peace with

respect for all