Purple as tulips in May, mauve
into lush velvet, purple
as the stain blackberries leave
on the lips, on the hands,
sunlit and warm as flesh.
Every day I will give you a colour,
like a new flower in a bud vase
on your desk. Every day
I will paint you, as women
colour each other with henna
on hands and on feet.
Red as henna, as cinnamon,
as coals after the fire is banked,
the cardinal in the feeder,
the roses tumbling on the arbour
their weight bending the wood
the red of the syrup I make from petals.
Orange as the perfumed fruit hanging their globes on the glossy tree, orange as pumpkins in the field, orange as butterfly weed and the monarchs who come to eat it, orange as my cat running lithe through the high grass. 
Yellow as a goat’s wise and wicked eyes, yellow as a hill of
daffodils, yellow as dandelion by the highway, yellow as butter and egg yolks, yellow as a school bus stopping you, yellow as a slicker in a downpour. 
Here is my bouquet, here is a sing
song of all the things you make me think of, here is oblique
praise for the height and depth
of you and the width too.
Here is my box of new crayons at your feet.
Green as mint jelly, green as a frog on a lily pad twanging, the green of cos lettuce upright about to bolt into opulent towers, green as Grand Chartreuse in a clear glass, green as wine bottles. 
Blue as cornflowers, delphiniums,
bachelors’ buttons. Blue as Roquefort,
blue as Saga. Blue as still water.
Blue as the eyes of a Siamese cat.
Blue as shadows on new snow, as a spring
azure sipping from a puddle on the blacktop.
Cobalt as the midnight sky
when day has gone without a trace
and we lie in each other’s arms
eyes shut and fingers open
and all the colours of the world
pass through our bodies like strings of fire.
in the autumn light 
What a beautiful passage. I loved reading it. It reminds me of spring.
Lovely poem K, weaving a tale of life, colour and flower, delicately wrought.I love the way the themes of your blog are included in every turn.thanksS
So incredibly beautiful!! Perfect for Spring. Your photos are stunning too. This was a wonderful way to start my Saturday morning!! Have a great weekend, Kate!
Hi Kate, Thank you for the kind words and I’m sorry I haven’t been visiting you. I haven’t felt well and seem to be just dragging myself through the days. Unfortunately, I’ve a case of shingles (I seem to be getting alot of “old people’s” ailments lately)and it is making me feel worn out and tired. So, I’ve not done much at all except work and sleep. Enough of me – I really enjoyed the poetry selection and pretty photos you’ve choosen. Ms. Piercy has a wonderful way with words and I can picture each color phrase she has written. I like the juxtaposition the “exotic” color discriptions with the more mundane situations. A beautiful poem that has added some needed color to my day. Thank you so much, Alyssa
We think the poem but only poets can put it together so beautifully. You did your part, Kate, and attached your lovely photos. That was a breath of fresh air!
Wonderfully wrote and wonderful photos Alysaa and Kate. Fits spring!
Lovely post, as usual!
Kate, this is such a lovely treat, thank you for that wonderful poem and the lovely pics!!!
What a lovely poem. Your photos provided a perfect accompaniment, too. Thanks for sharing this.
that is a favorite bit of Marge Piercy 🙂 Beautifully illustrated by your photos.
Such a lovely piece of writing, it conjures up all kinds of wonderful mind pictures and your photographs illustrate the words beautifully.
I think I have come back three times to read through this! I’ve enjoyed it (am enjoying) it very much! Words brought to life!
Just great~! Really great!