Colours

There came a time when the rich red blood started to flow

There came a time when the purple bruises could be seen

There came a time when the child cried for what seemed the whole night

There came a time when the sirens wailed, the blue lights flashing

There came a time when the sutures were inserted

Over a bluish black eye

And an x-ray divulged

The buried white treasure

Of mangled mandible

And rehabilitated fractures

There came a time when – not so long after this –

The yellow river flowed

And the tackies were donned

And the magician vanished into thin air

There came a time

When she danced in her new orange shawl

Swirling her way into the first rays of pink light

Sweeping them close to her

Blanketing them with love

And kindness

And love.

And joy,

And learning,

And love.

The marvel of her gift.

There came a time when they left

Replete

There came that dark time, too.

© Madge O’Callaghan 2020