Monochrome Rainbow

Rainbows have always fascinated me. I have seen many rainbows before each one boasting with colorful rays, beams of light connecting the passing storm and the awakening sunshine. Their surrounding presence contains so much wonder and mystery. Fun while they languish and because they soon vanish it makes you appreciate them all the more. Lasting only for a short moment, the aura of the rainbow signifies hope.

I was angry at this particular rainbow because it shown gloriously in the sky. It thought it was better than me. I was furious at the way it looked down on me. Judging me by only my appearance. If this rainbow would have taken the time to truly get to know me I doubt it would feel this way. I secretly resented its bubbly personality. My life until this point has been insipid, void of color, and overly null. I knew I had to act quickly before the playful rainbow disappeared. My actions had to be swift and illusive. I assumed that attempting to capture the beauty of the rainbow within a canvas would not be an easy task. But much to my surprise the color red parted herself from the rainbow and landed herself on my easel. I was astonished at her willingness to leave her high place in the sky. I quickly covered my canvas before she had a chance to change her mind.

I carried her home keeping a tight grasp and a close eye on her all the while. Once I was in my house I let her free. She screamed out violently and stretched herself throughout my house. My lackluster house was highlighted with various shades of red as she passed by. I had never seen color as beautiful as the reds she painted before me. I loved watching her move swiftly and gracefully through my house adding life to whatever she came in contact with. She lifted my mood and raised my spirits. I was overcome by her perfection. I was scared to breathe in her presence let alone speak to her.

I prized the way she looked at me. She gave everything to me without question. Her intentions were as pure as the morning drizzle. She added a great deal of color to my soul. I treasured her for teaching me to see beyond the monotony of black and white. We explored many new activities together and she taught me how to love. When she kissed me I turned red. Red like herself, part of her was in me and I adored it. She made me what I was. We were in love.

I soon grew very protective of Red and restricted her to staying indoors. I could not let others experience her beauty. Red was mine, mine to love and enjoy, and nobody else's. I could no longer bear the thought of her positive impact on the life of another. I did not want to share her splendor. I was satisfied when I looked at the outside world and a Red Delicious apple could not be found. It made me giddy when the beauty of red roses were nowhere in sight. I laughed arrogantly at the lovers on Valentines Day with nothing red to give one another. But as for me, I had all the red in the world. I owned more red than I knew what to do with and I was content.

Things at home weren't as bright as they once had been. The pictures the hung on the wall began to lighten, the brilliant red they once were faded into pastel pink. Red grew lonely and lost enthusiasm. She longed for the company of the colors in the rainbow. She missed her friends. But I could not let her go; I was alone without her.

I let my greed take hold of me. I decided to rid myself of this fear by robbing Red of her magnificence. I tricked her into bathing with me. I washed her of her color night after night. Slowly she began fade. She was pale with loneliness. Her once tinted cheeks were white with apathy. She neither loved nor hated me. But she was still mine. Nothing else mattered as long as I had her. One night Red came to me. She stared at me through demon eyes. I could tell she was angry.

"I don't want to be with you anymore, she started. I need to be free again. Free to make my own decisions and develop on my own. I miss my friends who I have shared my entire life with. I can no longer be with you. Trapped by your artificial love that was once true. I deserve to be happy, she urged."

I could see the frustration fill her every pore. The color flowed back into her as she uttered these words. She was red with rage.

"I have spent forty days and forty nights with you in this rainstorm but it is now time for the thunder to subside."

With that she marched through my front door with as much zest as the morning she parted herself from that beautiful rainbow in the sky.

As for now, every time I gaze at a rainbow I am blinded by crimson shame. It is a constant reminder of the selfishness that once flourished inside of me. And the love that was once shared until greed robbed me of her scarlet heart.