Greenless Child

 by Ann Weems

 I watched her go uncelebrated into second grade,  

 A greenless child,  
 Gray among the orange and yellow,  
 Attached too much to corners and other people’s sunshine.  
 She colors the rainbow brown  
 And leaves balloons unopened in the packages.  
 Oh, who will touch this greenless child?  
 Who will plant alleluias into her heart  
 And send her dancing into all the colors of God?  
 Or will she be left like an unwrapped package on the kitchen table?  
 Too dull for anyone to take the trouble?  
 Does God think we’re her keeper?  


 (from Reaching for Rainbows)