Mary O’Neill

Red is a sunset
Blazy and bright
Red is feeling brave
With all your might.
Red is a sunburn
Spot on your nose.
Sometimes red
Is a red, red rose
Red squiggles out
When you cut your hand.
Red is a brick and 
A rubber band.
Red is a hotness
You get inside
When you’re embarrassed
And want to hide.
Fire-cracker, fire-engine
Fire-flicker red—
And when you’re angry
Red runs through your head.
Red is an Indian,
A Valentine heart.
The trimming on
A circus cart.
Red is a lipstick,
Red is a shout,
Red is a signal
That says: “Watch out!”
Red is a great big
Rubber ball.
Red is the giant-est
Color of all.
Red is a show-off,
No doubt about it—
But can you imagine
Living without it?