Favored

I had never worn so many colors.

The coat fit snug,

like the accusations 

murmured around corners.

Bone of bone 

flesh of flesh

blood of blood

saw only green. 

Green is for the shoots

in a ewe's mouth.

Green is for the glint

of envy in a brother's eye.

The chains fit snug, 

like the whispers

breathed behind doors.

Green is for the gain 

of a house well run. 

Green is for the corruption

in a woman's heart.

The bars fit snug, 

like the echoes

remembered within breasts. 

Green is for the life

outside the window. 

Green is for the scrub 

atop the acacia.

The name fit snug, 

like the homes

set within cities.

Green is for the grain

sealed within walls.

Green is for the hope

of growing things.

Bone of bone 

flesh of flesh

blood of blood

saw only green. 

Green is for the olive branch

within a stretched out hand. 

Green is for the redemption

wrought in the heart of man.

I had never worn such a color.