Ana Reis

Honorable Mention: Poetry

“Shades of Red” 
by Ana Reis
11th grade, Morris Knolls High School

—

His love came in shades of red,
The soft kind, at first,
Like the faint stain,
Of lipstick on a cheek.

It was the red of shared wine,
Of faces flushed in laughter
And handwritten letters, 
Sealed with wax.

Even our arguments burned 
In a kind, familiar scarlet,
Quick to flare, and quicker to cool.
I was pulled back by a crooked smile.

And in autumn,
When the trees found their flames, 
You whispered,
“Even endings can be beautiful,”

I didn’t understand then.
Not until your lips ran pale
And the red left your face.
I tried to hold you closer,
As though my love alone,
Could mend your blood and bones.

They say grief is love with nowhere to go.
But mine still lingers in the space you used to be,
Haunting me from beyond, 
Taking the shades of red with you.