red a poem by cher corbin red ribbons red ribbons tie kinky brown hair pixies ponytails bobby socks baby dolls baskets and bears cute chubby cherub cheeks crease with laughter and tears now blossoms and blooms as sweet innocence disappears barbie dolls glitter and lip gloss create fashion with flair white velvet sashes red bandeaus in hair strewn over the floor beads baubles and glue this passion for life adolescence rings true words of wisdom cut short swift back chat to the keeper just pushing the envelope no fear of grim reaper burning red in the face spitting vicious retorts respects no one 's space in this dangerous sport refusing to listen to lessons to pleas protecting the wicket batting close to the knees on a reckless journey all divad and bleached will bring forth regrets this is constantly preached the pleasures of self consume and provide the escape and the daring no protection just ride red seas return monthly expressed sighs of relief just a pause in the passion a menstrual brief resuming the patterns the dances the dates the skimpy red dresses those killer heels quake but something goes wrong the funstarts to wane red fire balls pelt bring abdominal pain the rumors you hear the whispers the taunts the friends you once had stay clear of old haunts your favorite colour now symbolic of pain embarrassment and suffering your familys disdain you thought you were smart all clever and sweet now all that is left are the tears that you weep red ribbons red ribbons no longer tie hair the colour of passion of vanity fair this satin red ribbon blood colour of life will cut a new path immune to the knife wrapped tightly this virus looped awareness is found red ribbons now smaller on chests pinned and sound the colours of red pink burgundy magenta too are now all absorbed in a pale deathly hue red ribbons red ribbons if only we could return to a life once vibrant and pure a dream a desire no lanterns to rub just regrets and reminders of red ribbons we loved not me a poem by graham bannister sitting alone staring out to sea , is it the horizon he watches ?