Spectrum

 (inspired by People by Jean Toomer; for my 2024-2025 English students)

When I look at you, 
I see color diffused through a prism.
The entire spectrum:
I see you red
when indignation for injustice
– perceived or real –
blazes through you.
I see you orange
like an exuberant rising sun:
A slice of vitality.
I see you yellow
full of jokes and laughter, 
mischief and sparkle 
-like a finch on a summer morning.
I see you green:
Spring buds filled with potential;
extraordinary hope like Gatsby; 
Take-the-world-by-storm innocence
like Clarisse.
I see you blue, 
like the ocean on a wind-still day: 
full of wonder and mystery.
Sometimes, I see you indigo
Not quite blue, not yet purple
 – unsure whether you belong
if you fit.  But you do!
I see you violet
on the edge. 
Fading. 
Stretched 
to your very end 
by expectations and opportunity.

I see you 
where you blend together
in a white-hot spot of
directed blinding light.
The brilliance of all of you.

 ~ Amanda Smith 2024