Redefined (a poem)

I am not sad.

I am blue
and warm like a Summer sky.

I am not envious.

I am green
like a soft meadow
and the trees we climbed
in our youth.

I am not angry.

I am red
like the flush in a child’s cheeks
as they sled down a hill,
on a winter day,
then rush to do it again.

I am not cowardly or weak.

I am yellow
like a sunflower
that turns to the light
and grows in strength,
to carry the heavy burden
of its children.

I am blue but not sad,
green but lack envy,
red without anger,
and yellow yet brave and strong.

I am not what your words
declare me to be

…and yet,
my life is full of color.

~ elr