Optimistic Orange

It is the fragrant peel of Florida's fruit that comes in convenient slices.
The savory citrus that packs a punch - to my tongue it simply entices.
It is the sprightly stripe of a clown fish that says, "Look at me," unabashedly (no joke)
To read between the lines it has taught me, and in its splendor I am soaked.
It is the warmth inside a fire though his sister crimson gets all the credit.
It could be the light of your world if your vivacious heart would only let it
envelop you with its curious tone: the love of a rose - the brightness of the sun.
And though we might only think of traffic cones,
and hazard signs - for me - it is the lightness of a pun:
Orange you gonna ask me a question?
About how its wavering pathways on tropical seas
can bring the heaviest heart to ascension?
Or how its marriage of sweet strawberry and sour lemon
has brought to mind our engaging entanglement?
It isn't like the blue that's over our heads,
nor is it like the green that's beneath our feet.
Rather it is the hidden spark inside our hearts:
it isn't showy - but its beauty is discrete. Something to soothe
any gloomy day with gentle subtlety. To tell you the truth
orange is nothing dramatic
(perhaps that's why I like it)



Written March 4th, 2016
For the United Orange Contest hosted by Silent One
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A   Avatar
March 14, 2016 at 11:47 PM
Hello Timothy, Congratulations on your orange theme win. always ~LINDA~
Hicks Avatar
March 15, 2016 at 6:20 PM
Muchas gracias, mi amiga.
Delaney Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 12:12 AM
Congratulations Tim: Injust knew this was a winner. SuZ
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 10:52 PM
Thanks for the second visit.
Lindley Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 9:24 PM
Exceptionally creative and very smooth with great rhyme! A7
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 10:51 PM
Thank you very much, Robert. Humbled.
Kendrick Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Creative winner..Way to go..Congrats on your winning clown fish and Florida citrus.Sara
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 10:19 PM
Thanks Sara! Orange is inspiring to me.
Kimathi Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 6:05 AM
Hi Timothy. Congrats for your WIN in the contest!!! ;-)
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 10:18 PM
Thank you Teddy :)
Gupta Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 11:15 PM
Poetry in every line. Congratulations.....
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 10:12 PM
Thanks Probir :)
Fiery Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 8:41 PM
Congratulations ! This is by far one of the best write on Orange ...Now I can say that I love oranges..*Lol*...You nailed it !
Fiery Avatar
March 9, 2016 at 7:59 PM
I love berries and yes mango is my fav too...I read this poem again..it's sooooooo good !
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 9:55 PM
You're encouraging words are a delight to me ... and I thank you :) Oranges are a good fruit ... but my favorites are probably pineapple and mango.
Raven Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 7:22 PM
Hi Tim, Congratulations on your placement in the contest. Enjoyed the read....Vlad.
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 9:47 PM
Thank you Raven. Much appreciated.
Marcum Wong Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 6:25 PM
Congratulations on your win Tim. Nice to know you wear orange. ; )
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 9:37 PM
Thanks Connie.
Gorelick Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 1:58 PM
And I like your poem..Congrats on your win. BG
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 7:21 PM
Thanks Barbara!
Smith Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 10:40 AM
You should be the spokesman for the color orange Tim. Love this.
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 7:17 PM
Why thank you, Tim. Glad you liked my orange poem.
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 6:51 PM
Why thank you, Tim. Glad you liked my orange poem.
Callus Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 10:25 AM
This is excellent, Timothy. Cause of my bad cold I have not had much time to read or comment, so I don't know what the other entries are like, except for a couple, but I would have placed this one among the top ones for sure! I like its 'feel' of spontaneity. // paul
Hicks Avatar
March 8, 2016 at 12:07 AM
Thanks Paul ... it was rather spontaneous, actually. It was thanks to Andrea for saying I should write one before the contest ended. Glad I did, as it is my favorite color.
Scars Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 10:07 AM
Tim, congrats on your placement in the contest :)-luloo *smiles*
Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 11:58 PM
Thanks Laura!
Dietrich Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 9:57 AM
Tim, you know how I feel about this one. So glad to see it at least in the top three. It is so awesome a poem. Congrats.
Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 11:54 PM
Thanks again for taking a second look. Happy you enjoy it :)
Andresen Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 9:18 AM
- Timothy, congratulations on your win in contest: ORANGE - hugs // Anne-Lise:)
Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 11:52 PM
Thanks Anne :)
Lamoureux Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 7:20 AM
I agree with Andrea, it's the best I have read as well. You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself Timothy.
Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 11:40 PM
Thanks as always Richard.
Breidenthal Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 2:30 AM
''It could be the light of your world if your vivacious heart would only let it envelop you with its curious tone: the love of a rose - the brightness of the sun." love those two lines particularly...you put a lot of your personality and humor into this poem as well. Charming, and nicely done! I've always loved orange and this poem gives it justice! Always, Laura
Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 11:21 PM
Happy to find another orange fan, Laura. You always give such wonderful comments, and have a great eye for spotting out lines that impacted you in someway. A treasure to read.
Dietrich Avatar
March 5, 2016 at 7:10 PM
wow, Timothy THE BEST ONE. If this does not get a top spot, I will be so surprised. It puts mine to shame! Wish I felt this love for orange as you do. FAVE.
Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 11:10 PM
I'm flattered by your enthusiasm, Andrea :D
Delaney Avatar
March 5, 2016 at 11:50 AM
This is fab,Tim: You touched all the senses and emotions. Very light and optimistic . A definite winner. Also a Fav and a seven for me. Hugs, SuZ
Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 10:48 PM
Thanks Suz. Orange makes me feel light and optimistic :)
Lane Avatar
March 5, 2016 at 3:42 AM
I think all of your writes are optimistic, Tim. Orange you glad you wrote this?
Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 10:18 PM
Why thank you Lin. I guess I am fairly optimistic (most of the time) ... :)
Knight Avatar
March 5, 2016 at 12:23 AM
Wow great poem, I like your style you kept me so interested the entire piece! Good luck
Hicks Avatar
March 7, 2016 at 3:26 AM
Thanks Damien ... glad you enjoyed it!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace