If you speak love to the color red

By Cheryl Marie Wade

If you speak love to the color red and sorrow, she will show you the rose. Summer was fragile conversation with colors long shrouded, a memory.

Mid-beat, the cold heart of winter now. Winter's on my hands; Still, I hold: gold band on the third finger of his left hand his hand on the pillow of the young girl shh... One thread to torment and comfort.

Summer was sleeping again in the mournful bed of childhood. Today is winter; Icy winds crack against my cheek and I hold the rose.

About this poem

Spoken in Wade’s stage show A Woman With Juice and in Finding Words (1995).

We’re not sure of this poem’s title. Wade left it untitled, so it is known here by its first line. We haven’t yet found a published version of this poem. If you know its title, or where it was published, please get in touch.