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Rainbow Colored Camouflage

Violet it pours, sinuous swirl into the glass, Rich in darkest ruby amethyst lavender glory, Lower left in France, Bordeaux, Chateau Margaux, Floral wine that hides you from almost everything; It even smells like violets. Indigo Children are wrapped in that aura, New Age thinking; are they protected from evil? Blue was their name, was their car, their house at the end of the street. They sheltered in silence; kids never answered in school, Their father seemed mute, the mother spoke two words to me The one time I was in their hushed house - a big room with cool air, The children slowly orbiting the parents like faint, cold little moons. Green river rushes screened me from the world When I was river-swimming young. Yellow, the color of cowardice and hot stars. I'm a coward - nobody's ever done anything to me; You haven't, but a part of me will always hide from you, Even if it had to go to the far side of the sun. Orange was the giant pumpkin long ago, My full body mask for Halloween, A lair behind the dark face, Watching trick-or-treaters approach. At their closest, I would roar at them, A true if momentary spooking. Red was my friend's truck when I was seventeen. Out with my brother and his buddy, the four of us, autumn night fun. Steering broken, hit telephone pole guy wire, Pulled the pole down on the truck; smash. Silence, no movement, then my brother said, "I'm okay." Other two not talking, more red from my brother's friend. I ran to nearby house, ambulance came, My friend's neck broken, my brother's friend dead. No camouflage for me with this red. I wish I could go back in time and remove it from my rainbow. March 24, 2017

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017




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Date: 6/9/2020 1:30:00 PM
If possible on second read this is even more moving. You were on fire when you wrote this one. I hope you will consider entering my current contest. Thanks for your visit.
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Date: 6/12/2017 3:10:00 PM
Doug: I'm old and simple and struggled to see the lovely colors for the darkness. That was deep, Doug. Deep. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us on the soup. Keep them coming. oldbuck
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Date: 5/3/2017 8:42:00 AM
This is a very well expressive write. Although it makes me sad for you Doug. God bless you... Hugs :)
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Doug Vinson
Date: 5/5/2017 10:23:00 AM
Thank you, Akkina. What do you do when there's something you really wish you could change, in the past? Usually, nothing to do but go on.
Date: 4/15/2017 8:55:00 AM
Colourful memories, Doug, with a sad ending:( beautifully written, all the best:)
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Doug Vinson
Date: 4/15/2017 1:09:00 PM
Hey Jo. : ) Thank you - it was good to write it.
Date: 4/13/2017 11:20:00 PM
So sad . Simultaneously so creative. A great composition.
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Doug Vinson
Date: 4/14/2017 11:06:00 AM
Anisha. : ) That's a kind way of commenting. Cheers to you!
Date: 4/12/2017 12:34:00 PM
Oh dear! What an awful memory! I am so sorry this happened to you, Doug. I love red but if I were you...I'm sure I wouldn't either.
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Doug Vinson
Date: 4/12/2017 6:53:00 PM
Thanks, Carole. It was 70% of my life ago, a sad thing yes.
Date: 4/12/2017 6:11:00 AM
Creative use of the theme rainbow..Sad story..I hope just a story and not a real life happening..Thanks for the visit to my page..Sara
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Sara Kendrick
Date: 4/13/2017 5:36:00 PM
I believe that you are a stronger person from the happening and learned some valuable lessons about life..Sara
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Doug Vinson
Date: 4/12/2017 6:54:00 AM
Hey Sara. : ) Long time ago, but did happen.
Date: 4/1/2017 10:39:00 PM
Your poem is such a brilliant expression of joy until it spirals in contrast into the sadness of the fateful ending. This is brilliant Doug! A word I do not use that often. It left me shaken! 7 ; )
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Doug Vinson
Date: 4/2/2017 9:44:00 AM
Thank you, Connie. :) As a kid, life seems simple - or at least I think it should feel that way, then. Yet in the long run it's a persistent mix of good and bad...
Date: 3/31/2017 10:32:00 PM
Your grasp of feelings holds you fast as you reveal the colored hearts of your dragons. You paint a picture with words that bring your memories alive in the reader's mind, and we too can appreciate your world filled with imagination and a rainbow of dragons. Emile.
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Doug Vinson
Date: 4/1/2017 10:54:00 AM
Emile. : ) Great comment - thank you.
Date: 3/28/2017 11:38:00 PM
A very strong finish at the end Doug red being such a dramatic color emotionally, depicting love, panic, danger and in this climax ..Blood. Left me feeling sad. An excellent entry.
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/29/2017 1:15:00 PM
Hi Maria, good of you to drop by. : )
Date: 3/26/2017 9:39:00 PM
Very heart touching entry for the contest Doug, G/L in it!~ hugs Che :)
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/29/2017 1:14:00 PM
Thanks, Che. : ) Probably have needed to write it, for years.
Date: 3/26/2017 4:11:00 PM
Such powerful words and imagery in your unique poem, Doug! Very emotionally moving for me...exceptional!
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/29/2017 1:14:00 PM
Ahoy Laura. : ) Thanks - this was one of those that was easy to write...
Date: 3/25/2017 7:11:00 AM
A touching story, well developed. Thanks for sharing.
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/25/2017 6:01:00 PM
Thanks, Cona. Life has variegated colors, and we may not always know where we are. With hindsight, these are true.
Date: 3/25/2017 5:40:00 AM
Good Morning Doug. Once again I see and read the humanitarian within you. Your title is inspired and never do you stray from its brilliance. Without saying your ending stanza and thoughts make the reader pause as it gives meaning and expression to the color red. You have put much thought into this entry with attention to detail. Well done in its entirety. Honestly
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/25/2017 5:54:00 PM
You are so good, Lisa. Only five words there, but there is intense feeling behind them. If I have humanity in me, it is after much of a lifetime of having less than the norm - not due to real evil, but just from fear, or just from being self-absorbed. I'm not even saying those are bad things, necessarily. To each in their own time, and here I am at age 58, appreciating you.
Date: 3/24/2017 9:43:00 PM
wow, got to the end of this one and thought DANG you really ended this one with a bang! That is so sad and so well put , to use this rainbow theme to give us this message. SEVEN. I love this one.
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/24/2017 9:57:00 PM
Aw shucks, Andrea. : ) Thank you.
Date: 3/24/2017 9:40:00 PM
Doug, is it milk or dark chocolate you have with the coffee. I am not a coffee drinker but i imagine sweeter chocolate would be a sublime taste with it. I only eat dark because it is more nutritional. But milk chocolate sure is yummy
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/24/2017 9:50:00 PM
Both. Even the really dark, considerably bitter stuff tastes good with coffee, Andrea, and that's me drinking black coffee with nothing added. It's like magic.
Date: 3/24/2017 12:57:00 PM
That last red colour gave me chills in my spine...We all have a colour We'd love to erase...mine would be the brown..it reminds me of sh*tty decisions.Excellent post.Really original.I like it.
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/24/2017 1:33:00 PM
(((Charmaine))) : )
Date: 3/24/2017 11:22:00 AM
Um-um-umh! Um-um... Yes! Your writing flows like full-octave breath. Um-humm...
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/24/2017 1:32:00 PM
Ha! Gerald, you're pretty good on the writing thing too - you never disappoint.
Date: 3/24/2017 10:14:00 AM
Life is filled with colors, some so much darker than others and the stains they leave are even darker still. There is a lot to digest here Doug. The colors you have expressed each claim their own part of this poetic story. Your ability to creatively describe the scenes just blows me away. You are very talented my friend, the proof is right up there in black and white.
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/24/2017 10:23:00 AM
:: shakes hand :: You are a good man, Chris. The roar of our childhood...
Date: 3/24/2017 9:15:00 AM
One of the best I have read for this contest!
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/24/2017 10:35:00 AM
Gracias, Richard. I imagine it's a little too long, but sometimes you'll have that.
Date: 3/24/2017 9:01:00 AM
Amongst those wonderful lines, you weave such a powerful, sad, story.
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/24/2017 10:20:00 AM
Thank you, Scott. Yes, sad. True regrets.
Date: 3/24/2017 7:52:00 AM
I wish your rainbow was complete without those painful memories. Life never becomes the same after, does it?
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Doug Vinson
Date: 3/24/2017 8:18:00 AM
So true, Darren, so much sadness in the world. I can't bring myself to say that it's really a bad thing - it's just the way it is.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things