For Paul’s prompt at Real Toads about Peace. This is an old poem previously posted but reworked and tightened up a bit. I truly believe that we carry peace around with us, that it must be found within and shared out like excess red tomatoes from my garden.
copyright kanzensakura
Red is the color of peace
Peace comes in many colors – like the rainbow,
like us humans or animals or flowers.
You may not think so, but red is the color of peace –
the tomato plucked from the bounty of my backyard garden
and handed over the short fence to the neighbor next door –
red of holly berries nestled among dark green clusters
of leaves hidden deep in the forest, with white snow
softly falling or the cardinal perched on the branch –
The red of maple leaves preparing for winter sleep
or the red of the rose given to a beloved.
Long blondeblackbrownred braids tied at the ends
with perky red bows.
Red is the color of peace – of units of blood donated
for someone about to undergo life saving surgery
for the child with cancer
or the service person needing
emergency treatment.
The wild apples are red and hang down far enough
a herd of deer can satisfy their hunger.
Red are the azaleas planted by my father years ago
that continue to bloom after all this time.
Strawberries from my garden are rich and red and sweet.
Red is also the color in the jars of preserves
I make and give out as gifts to anyone.
Red is my generations old flowering quince
blooming in a freezing snow.
The heart your child drew and the words “I Love You”
hangs with pride on your refrigerator door
photographed and posted on Facebook so everyone would know
– drawn with a bright red crayon.
Peace is what we make it and it is colored by our souls,
our hearts our words and actions.
If our words and actions do not speak of peace and hope
how can we be peace and hope to a world
sadly in need of both?
You may not think so, but red is the color of peace.
copyright kanzensakura
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kanzen sakura 
Jul 05, 2018 @ 19:10:46
I love this, Toni. I can see, through your words, that red is indeed the color of peace.
Jul 05, 2018 @ 21:10:37
Wow – – in your words, in your hands (I can imagine them planting the tomato plants, watching and tending, then offering to share) – Red is indeed the colour of peace. And pieces – the ones offered without thought of recompense, or admiration, but simply because kindness offers so much more than bitterness – and a small gesture can truly make a difference. And each visual you’ve offered is just lovely – Truly, this is one of my faves of yours Toni. Red, like most colours, can and does have both sides to the equation – and choosing to showcase the best side is truly a gift.
Jul 05, 2018 @ 21:38:23
Hi Pat. It is good to see you. Thank you for reading. My mother would have said red is the color of happiness. She loved red. She showed me how to plant a garden just as her mother and her mother’s mother showed her. I also share out the tomatoes to the people on my Meals on Wheels circuit. It is lovely to see the elderly take a tomato and cradle it as they would a kitten or a baby. I always pick the reddest tomatoes in my garden for sharing. The green plants are so tender to plant! I can tomatoes as well making pots of soup in the winter for sharing. People can pick colors like white or green for peace I firmly believe red is the true color of peace.
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Jul 05, 2018 @ 22:37:22
Radishes, tomatoes, rhubarb, and red bell peppers not a happy salad make, even though I love eating each one alone. Children and Valentine makers have convincingly teach the RED HEARTS. All are often objects or symbols of love.
One year ago today my older cousin in gave us at least 20 pounds of rhubarb. My then seven year old granddaughter and I picked it for her. She had a sunken, contoured hillside garden and she was afraid to step down into it to do the harvesting herself. She must have kept 50 pounds for herself and her neighbors.
..
Jul 06, 2018 @ 00:28:43
kaykuala
Peace is what we make it and it is colored by our souls,
our hearts our words and actions.
Hear! hear!.That should be the case. Unfortunately the powers that be think otherwise. What to make of it when they are all-powerful
Hank
Jul 06, 2018 @ 09:26:00
Yes, red is the color of peace. And perhaps peace can be found in all colors? I love this!!
Jul 06, 2018 @ 11:16:46
What a wonderfully vibrant and heart filled piece this is. You paint a new red for me here.
Jul 06, 2018 @ 12:07:14
Peace in nature – and food! You’ve done it again, Toni – stunning! I love the different shades and tastes of red – and peace.
Jul 06, 2018 @ 12:57:07
Comparison of peace to colors and nature seems like such a natural pairing. This was descriptive and delicious. Great writing!!!
Jul 07, 2018 @ 04:10:57
Beautiful, Toni. I especially like ‘Peace is what we make it and it is colored by our souls,our hearts our words and actions.’
Jul 07, 2018 @ 10:30:51
??
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Jul 07, 2018 @ 11:13:43
Huh?
Jul 07, 2018 @ 11:24:40
It was a smiley face. Apparently it did not translate well.
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Jul 07, 2018 @ 19:40:25
🤣
Jul 07, 2018 @ 09:16:42
Yes, we can carry peace with us and share it. And, like the devil in the details, it’s in the small things. (Have i mentioned that red is my favorite color?)
Jul 07, 2018 @ 10:30:24
It was also my mother’s favorite color. It made her happy.
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Jul 07, 2018 @ 09:41:42
I love what you got from red… it just shows that no matter the palette we can always find peace… (interesting how we both went with color)
Jul 07, 2018 @ 10:28:58
Yeppers. And opposite colors too!
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Jul 07, 2018 @ 19:15:36
You are correct in that I have never thought of red as a color of peace …. after reading your poem I have changed my mind. Thanks.