All Relative

It's a matter of perspective. The happenings in our lives that might devastate us are a mere trifle in the grand scheme of things. 

All Relative

A sore throat and a cough

woke me: suspicious for Covid.

My heart slipped as mauve

marched across the home test.

If a line of coral is lamentable,

a sea of rouge must auger disaster.

As it traveled, running ragged

into a carmine control line,

the tsunami of primrose evaporated.

              *    *     *    *    *

The suggestive sign of nothing good

comes wearing scarlet: fever, flames,

blood, even sunrise.

But no army could find a telltale

strip below the crimson slash already

laid down, cheering me.

Then I read the headlines:

WAR CONTINUES IN GAZA

Battle-sweat, red, prevailing.

Marilyn Aschoff Mellor