Vermilion

Color my world vermilion--
the China red
that forces abundance
into the palm,

assumes the personality of prosperity
and the purity of steam--
that little engine tugging away
at a long row of cars rolling slowly
down a shining track.

The whistle blows in warning.

It is too much.  It is too steep.
It is. . .

But tomorrow is a new day
and I know I can do
what must be done.

I know it
like a soldier knows
the battle is won or lost
almost always before
the first shot
is fired.

Before any bodies
go missing.

Long before
the white flag goes up
and the enemy takes all.