Rainbow-Shadows
by Odin Roark

Skyscraper city.

Tall.

Dense.

Waiting.

Each day…

Born of awakening shadows,
dawn’s expectation of blue,
merging purple of yesterday’s pain,
into noontime’s yellow and orange warmth.

Afternoon…

Brings diffused colors finding purchase
among buildings reaching over to parks,
extending across trees to apartment windows afar,
glass-reflected heat finds momentary respite,
while a shaded pigeon’s perch
invites winged friends to rest.

How giving
this kaleidoscopic palette of absorption,
stretching out its invisible canvas
nature’s collage of spectrum’s density,
decking the walls of avenues and streets
with obliging silhouettes,
offering cooled intervals for walkers, drivers,
park bench nappers.

Yet…

Tucked away in a city’s darkened alleys of despair,
many know but the abyss of shadows,
that place where only colorless fear resides.