Color Me a Rainbow

“Color me a rainbow” she whispered quietly,
That misty afternoon in August.  
Her and her love, under the weeping willow;

Their shelter from the rain.
His eyes danced with laughter,
Breathing in the sweet smell of her hair.

“Color you a rainbow?” with his lips curling
Ever so slightly, hidden by her shining hair.
His heart chuckling with her random thoughts.

“Yes, won’t you?”  she turned to watch his face,
Her eyes pleading, begging him
To say yes.

Softly, he sighed, “I don’t know what you mean,”
He whispered, looking away from her
Undeniable, rain puddle blue eyes.

“Well okay, but someday, won’t you?”  
The hope and sadness both filling her voice at once;
Making the guilt rise into his throat.

“Once I know what you mean, yes, anything”
Praying he would soon realize
What his dearest wanted.

~*

And that following spring,
With flowers and that ring in his hand,
He pulled her under the same old tree.

“I’ve got your rainbow,”  he smiled,
Handing her the flowers, with daffodils,
Violets, tulips; blossoms of all colors.

Then, he bent down on one knee,
Holding up his hand, with that $200 ring,
And asked, “Now, will you marry me?”

The hope and sadness both filled her voice again,
As she looked at down at her love, saying simply,
“That’s not my rainbow, but yes, I will”

~*

Two more springs had passed,
Her belly swelling, ripe and ready;
The young lovers preparing for their baby.

“Sweetheart, come here!” he called,
Peering down the hall, waiting,
Watching her every move lovingly.

“I’ve painted you a rainbow,”
His face shining, gesturing at the baby’s wall;
She hated to disappoint him again.

Shaking her head a little, smiling,
“That’s not it,” and
The hope and the sadness both filled her voice.

~*

Forty-eight more years down the line;
Their 50th anniversary now,
He pulled her aside once again.

“I’ve been trying and trying year after year,
And I think I’ve finally gotten it for you;
I’ve finally gotten your rainbow!” he cried, cheerfully.

And as he pulled the curtains aside,
He revealed a rainbow across the sky, the most beautiful
Sunset she’d ever seen, glistening across the water.

And once again it came,
The hope and the sadness both filled her voice,
“That’s not it,” she whispered, nearly crying at his disappointment.

~*

Ten more years, and her life draws to an end,
Lying with family and loved ones close,
Her true love holding her hand.

“Please leave us alone for a moment,” she pleaded,
Smiling reassuringly at her children and friends,
Shooing them out silently.

“And now, my love, I must tell you”
Her last proclamation of love began,
As she pulled her lover closer still.

“I never wanted a rainbow,
Although the ones you gave me were
Wonderful; Amazing.

I never wanted anything you could give me
With all the money in the world,
I wanted something only you could give me.

And you have.  You have given your love.
All I ever wanted was your love, dearest.
I wanted a life with you.

When I asked you to paint me a rainbow,
I was asking for you to be with me, forever,
Through all the love, and the sadness, anything.

From the red love, to the green jealousy,
Or the blue sadness; I wanted you there.
I couldn’t have anyone else.

You’ve given me my rainbow,
Over these sixty-odd years.
I thank you, my love.

I will always love you, and you know that.
But, I’m afraid, I must leave you. I’ll be waiting for you…”
She ended, with only the hope in her voice now.

And with that, she let go of life,
With her only love whispering,
“I love you, I love you, I love you…”