Red: A poem by Gomathi Mohan

Red Riding Hood and the wicked wolf's fairytale,

Santa Claus in candy apple suit, hearty and hale.

Raspberry, strawberry apple, cherry, glowing in red like none,

Painted and tainted among all colors,  though the most potent one.

Carnelian stopper in signals when all we want is to run,

Flagging scarlet red before the bull, for heaven's sake, is no fun.

Vermilion dot on the forehead, she subtly announces being wed, 

Also chooses to wear ornaments with the ruby in them embed.

Green paan turns rich in carmine so fresh and robust,  

Same turn to ugly brick red when spat on to dust.

Imperial red carpet rolled out for a VIP's airs and ornery,

While in satin ladybug, bride gleams in all her marriage finery.

Velvety petals of red rose sought in bath for solace,

Bouquet for teacher beautifully arranged with coral red gladiolus.  

Drastic downfall from auspicious to an abominable Red Light,  

Reduced to hosting nefarious people, what a pathetic plight!

Red lava when paired with sickle, is either revered or feared,

Many revolutions saw bloodshed that left all red and teared.

Politics of war or war of politics, both leave many dead,

Finally, who wins the war with so many lives shed?

Red blood of all peace times to give life an entry,

Lining walls of the womb hosting safely future of  family tree,

Citing same red, women denied entry in temples by noble gentry,

See red in age old customs and patriarchy choosing to be sentry!