The Lament of Viridian by Ellaurah Ashby

The sea foam green of his gentle eyes glisten in afternoon spring light

as promises of a better life

drip from his soft lips onto mine

The muted green of a nylon cotton blend conforms to a naive frame

repetitive chants fill the cognizance of a sincere mind

and remaining pieces of individuality

fade into dusk summer morning

The mint green of my cold earthy drink

shared elsewhere between found friends

whisper soft nothings of youth

that can only be heard in the warm autumn sun

The evergreen of greed pulls at my heart with a home wrapped in a glittering bow

a gift never wanted and yet purchased with the price

of something called love

The pale green of dead grass that spring prays back to life brushes against bare feet

as terminal words that this love was never worth the price

slips from soft lips

The vibrant green of eyeshadow is pressed into tear soaked skin

heat of a summer evening

pleading

to be spent with those closest to a fragile frame

The neon green of a computer screen shows a racing heart struggling to walk

through a long autumn night that is far too cold

threatening a marriage doomed from the start

The muted green of his vomit covers the shower floor as darkened eyes pour hatred

and harsh lips spew malice

only to leave two broken bodies

frozen

in the snowy blizzard of a love that never was

The faded green of a springtime fog

envelops the soul as she moves through the memories of an uncanny home

the stagnant air threatens to suffocate her

The haunted green of blurred eyes

fade in

and out

of focus

while a blistering summer day forces tears to hide from those closest to a hollowed shell

The lime green of a text message delivered to a friend who never intended to respond

sending the only remnants of my hope

plummeting through the chilled harvest air

The muted green of a nylon cotton blend holds a shivering body together

falling apart for years

begging to be loosened from promises that were never fulfilled

The sage green of a spring I never thought would come

nurtures flowers that were laid to rest

at the foot of a grave for the fragile frame

of a girl I once was

The glowing blush pink of a brand new life is taken with slow breaths and cautious steps,

but no longer fears the vibrancy of green

This poem was selected as the “Active Duty” Winner of SITREP’s Fall 2026 Poetry Contest!