Red and Green

Never wear green and red
together. That’s what my aunt
told me when I was five,
and she was training me
to be a fashionista.

Then in high school, I had
an art class that I went to every
day and we learned about colors –
how elementary – and shading.

I was reminded, while I shaded
in my color wheel, the red
and green directly opposite
each other, never to wear
the two together.

And recently, I remembered that
red and green do not only clash,
but are also complementary colors.
You can see it, there, the word is there:
complete.

Yes, and when blended, they become
what my art teacher called neutral.

I suppose this is why they say opposites
attract. Cliché, I know. But what is the point
of being with someone who is not
your opposite, who cannot complete you?
If we are to make a world of neutrality,
this would be the way to do it.

I’d like to start with you and me,
red and green.