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Red: A poem by Munira Dalal

RED
One of the primary colors in a color wheel
Red revolves in our life adding a lot of zeal

Fear, obsession, passion, anger, and fire are its reins
Amazingly, mankind has the color in its veins

Sindoor symbolic of matrimony is the color vermillion red
Kumkum and tilak significant for energy and valor, adorn the forehead

Roses red, choice of lovers universally
Words unspoken yet, love expressed magically

Dipped in the color of warmth are apples and sweet cherries
Oh! those jams and squashes with exotic ruby-red strawberries

Painted vibrant red from inside are green watermelons
Aagh! Pungent red chilies sure deadly fiery weapons

To color a salad toss in red bell pepper
Luscious red juicy tomatoes flavor dishes better

Beetroot florid cheeks look lovely blushing dark red
An angry person with a flushed crimson face, a sure dread

Red is the color for danger, alerts, and warning
Markings on exam papers of red zeroes alarming

Commanding and stern in a blink halts any moving traffic
Red beacons of fire engines and police cars cause panic

With emotions like happiness and love, it correlates beyond
any measure
Red captures attention; quickens heartbeat and raises blood
pressure!!