Red Flags

Was it being color blind?

Ships going into battle

In a fight to the death

Would fly the baucan to signal

No mercy

If men could wear one

And women’s eyes could see

“Oh, that one – he’ll be the death of me”

Maybe we would be more careful

That first bout of road rage

Not caring about your safety

As the car became a weapon

And the highway a battlefield

Then perhaps we would never stay

Acclimate to the subtle

The poor manners

The lack of empathy

Mixed signals and

Sabotage

That banner was there

Streaming in our face

So long that it began to

Normalize

And disrespect was a

Constant diet

Leaving a heart hungry

For real food

Rising waters

Imminent danger

The red flags would wave

Head to high ground

Yet slowly they rise

Til they are overhead

Then it’s being pulled under

Before the feet kick and the arms flail

And seeking air is all you know

Nothing like some trauma

To instill a healthy fear

Maybe now we can smell smoke before the fire

And see the blue cars

That were right there all along

Written in the midst of understanding and healing. A little pep talk to myself and to all of us who need to nurture ourselves and beware the fixer-uppers