Sumiregusa Sunset

A Poem by redzone

….for a friend

Sumiregusa Sunset

I have been surrounded by death,

pain,

suffering,

these days.

It has latched onto me

with a crescent smile

and held me like a lover

needing a kiss.

It’s ironic, I think,

as sumiregusa usually means,

grounded,

calm,

reasoned,

with a steady pace.

Or in Nature,

everything is equal,

inspiring,

from a grain of sand

to all of Kilimanjaro;

from a single green leaf,

to the colors of Autumn.

But I gather no inspiration

in the wild violet

of loss,

or the destruction felt

in calling human beings “illegal”,

tearing them from their homes

in sanctimonious ‘holy wars’.

Where is the equality in such criminality?

Violet- red mixed with blue.

Red as in blood;

blue as pain, suffering;

this also surrounds me.

But Death

can see only one shade,

the deepest,

darkest,

black.

This is also ironic

since black is all colors

mixed as one,

giving new meaning

to the old Stone’s song,

“Paint It Black”.

Aztec Warrior/redzone 7.20.18

(Written in honor of a longtime friend who recently

passed away. She was a sweet soul.)

© 2018 redzone

Author's Note

....thans for reading...

My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register

Reviews

Lyn Anderson

There are times when the world, friends, circumstances seem very dark indeed. But in the end, the colour will come through.

Posted 6 Years Ago

Patricia Wedel

dear Curt... Hearts and souls are pure as
Silver raindrops cover our world... we are one
as we walk in the sunshine of love... the precious embrace of a child who knows no boundaries... between heaven and earth. truly, Pat

Posted 6 Years Ago

Kelly Scheppers

"Violet- red mixed with blue.
Red as in blood;
blue as pain, suffering;
this also surrounds me.
But Death
can see only one shade,
the deepest,
darkest,
black."

My, my, I love reading the depths to this, Curt..."the deepest, darkest black." Gave me chills and then some. You really are an extraordinary poet. I hope you know that!

Posted 6 Years Ago

6 Years Ago

Kelly, you are way to kind, but I appreciate your comment, thank you very much...

6 Years Ago

You are most welcomed, my friend! Take care! : )

jacob erin-cilberto

"I see a red door and i want to paint it black"

seeing the blood of war paints that black picture...strong words here...senseless loss because of senseless conflicts...
j.

Posted 6 Years Ago

6 Years Ago

thanks Jacob, it is always good to have you visit and leave such good comments..

Einstein Noodle

well ... the turn caught me completely off guard .. poem and video perfectly balanced until politics expressed itself ;) no one can argue against the validity of suffering in our lives ..but illegal also has a definition .. we seem to loose site of that in the heat of discussion ... many families are torn apart in America without breaking our laws being a jumping off place .. i do pray that our Congress will come up with a clear cut plan that is compassionate as well as just under the law ... applied only to personal loss your words moved me deeply .. and the comfort that is in between the tragedy gives me hope .. listening to the music adds to making this poem memorable .. thanks for sharing redzone .. we have a long way to go don't we :(
E.

Posted 6 Years Ago

6 Years Ago

the sweetness of this friend was that she saw no justice in all suffering and would agree with you t.. read more

6 Years Ago

thanks for the forum redzone .. social commentary is strong and healthy in poetry says i! you hit on.. read more

Arpita Mondal

I'm so sorry for your loss.
And this poem is beautiful ❤️

Posted 6 Years Ago

6 Years Ago

Arpita, thanks you for your nice review and for your visit... both, much appreciated

charlie

"I gather no inspiration in the wild violet of loss" ... that kind of carries the whole poem for me.
Superb line on a keen sense of shock and doldrums.