Red

My grandma sat me down one afternoon

In her lap and introduced me to a colour- red

This is you, she said

This is the colour of your cheeks when

Your father tickles you after you pretend

To be upset

The colour of your hands

When you cross them too tightly

Hiding behind me when mother

Comes for you angry

And when you run outside

In afternoons like this

Red is under your feet

Tired and burnt, But so alive

Know this colour, darling

So later when they tell you it’s scary

You look them in the eye

And say, No. It’s me.

When they tell you it’s evil

You bless them

And say, No. It’s me.

Know this colour darling, know yourself

Touch. Love yourself.

When they tell you you’re impure

You know it’s not you. It’s them.