SHADES OF PURPLE

King of colours
Purple and all the shades of mauve
The thousand hues of lavender –
The smell of purple.
The darks and lights of lilac
Swoop down through pinks and blues –
But always sing of purple.

The colour of life, of blood
Through tiny veins of a newborn’s crystal skin
As she takes her first breath;
The fine net on an ageing cheek;
A straining artery fit to burst –
The colour of death
The shade of mourning.
We honour our beloved dead
And drape them in silk-rich purple.

The colour of pride –
So magnificent it bedecks our monarchs
In the richness of velvet.
Such a lavish hue
You can feel its luxury just with your eyes.
Glorious regal purple
Ancient mystical purple
Priestly purple.

Shy purple pansy peeping seductively
Through caressing emerald leaves
With Elizabeth Taylors’ violet eyes
Melts hearts. Mends souls.
Healing purple.
Breathlessly beautiful purple
Deceptive purple.
Truthful purple.

Rainbow purple bruises belie excuses
Reveal violent lives behind closed doors
Where purple says :
Obey me. Honour me.
Pity me. Comfort me.
Help me.
Remember me.

Look at me in purple hat
For I am old. My legs mauve veined.
Next the purple shroud.
But for now the purple shouts
I am still here
See me
Hear me
Love me.
I am still in purple.