Seeing Red

Another dangerous poem, that seemingly came out of nowhere! :)

It had to be a certain shade of red

A passionate red

A dangerous red

A red that drives a convertible

top down

in the winter

smoking a menthol cigarette

It flies out the window

arching and falling

onto the pavement below

still a live ember

A red that sleeps under satin sheets

that pool onto the floor

in a five star hotel

a line of afternoon sun

pencils through the drapes,

lighting up the oriental rug.

A red that dances the tango

in Buenos Aires

on a dark dance floor

black heels with a red sole

a low cut dress, blinking with sequins.

A solo guitar plays La comparsita,

a partner with black hair,

in a long braid

smoldering black eyes.

A red at the black jack table

with scotch on ice

leaning on the arm of a stranger

tattooed

a snake curling up his arm

Winning

knowing that in the end

the house always wins

That shade of red, that one

Author's Note

I took all the punctuation out of the lines of the poem, I don't know how use punctuation in a poem. Any advice?

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Red can stand for many things: anger, wine, left wing politics. Here, it seems to represent a certain variety of high life, characterized by wealth, fast cars and exotic locations. Some do indeed live this way, but I tend to associate it with burnout.

[NormaZ]

You certainly couldn’t keep this up forever! Let’s hope age and wisdom will prevail. Thanks for reading my poem and your review!

[Dave Brown]

there is a certain red, Mazda is wearing it, much like a deep candy apple red, that I am considering getting my present, less than fulfillingly red vehicle, repainted with.
I once painted a vehicle I had with a Porsche India red but found it much too dramatic.
Mazda's red will be dramatic without being overbearing, I think.
Punctuation?
What's that?

[NormaZ]

Ha, ha, love the punctuation, what’s that. I guess that’s what I love about writing poetry, there aren’t as many ‘rules’. We bought a Mazda in March, love it, gray though, not red.

[Dave Brown]

March Mazdaness

[Tom]

Red is indeed a symbol of fiery, fiesty hotness, and from a masculine perspective, always exciting, alluring to see such embeded qualities in a woman....Go for it gal and don't look back!!

[NormaZ]

Thank you Tom!

[Arundass TP]

The king snake crawls with red rings. Red Traffic lights warns, Lots more with Red. Good poem. Loved it

[NormaZ]

Yes, lots of red! Thanks for your review.

[Chris Shaw]

Norma, the imagery here in these free verse stanzas is enticing. Red for danger. It grabbed my attention and I was absorbed. Well done.

Chris

[NormaZ]

Thanks Chris!

[emmajoygreen]

This is more than drama and more than unique, Norma. Its movement adds to its core{ good reason to read this poem more than once - and aloud. Perhaps in time, when you want to, you can learn how to use punctuation but here I feel your poem is more powerful, more colourful, as are the streaming thoughts..

[NormaZ]

Thank you Emma!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Loved this flowing freeverse poem describing scenarios whith a red tint. Each is nicely portrayed and gives the reader a vision of what is in your mind. Not sure cheap motels use satin sheets lol!

[NormaZ]

Ha,ha, too true!

[Sami Khalil]

You are adventurous indeed even in your imagination; nothing wrong with having much fun, class, romance. Very interesting poem. I like how you cover all those possibilities.

[NormaZ]

Thank you Sami, it was a lot of fun to write.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome
NormaZ

[jacob erin-cilberto]

All that red, all that passion, all that danger...living life on the edge...excitement is the momentum for some.
As far as punctuation, I tend to leave it be because I prefer the readers to put it in depending how they are reading the work.
j.

[NormaZ]

It’s funny because I am so not that person. It must be my alter ego. (lol). Thanks for the review and the advice.