Hue of the Day

Poetry

Red

There’s a little farmhouse you can see far from this packed dirt road. You’re just passing through, a straggler, but you wonder about the family in the wind-battered old place. You can imagine a surly father, an unhappy mother, a little girl in oversized clothes. But then you blink, and the vision’s gone — back to the outer reaches of your memory.

Orange

It’s sunset outside the beach house, and you’re gulping down the salty air as you try not to cry. There are only so many times you can beat yourself up for the clumsy words that fall out of your mouth. You’re sure you insulted someone, did something, made your place in the house obsolete too soon. But you’ll wipe away the tears, and you’ll go back inside, just like the good girl you were taught to be.

Yellow

The daisies on your dress make you happy; the look on your mother’s face does not. No matter how you cuddle up to her, she does not smile your way. In the years to come, you’ll remember more her look of distaste or anger far more than her smiles or laughter. But still you cling close, wrapping your arms around her, because you so want to believe just your presence can make all the difference.

Green