Shades of Scarlet

Scaling Scarlet Walls: Anatomy of a Poppy

Poppies blush against my front fence. They greet passersby with their scarlet wave. My son asks, "What are they?" as we examine their deep middles, insect-like. Fuzzy. They are different than the daffodil yellow trumpets or bright tulips closed tight. Spring air twists their thin stems and pedal flames dance. I marvel at their bright beauty. This shade of scarlet.

A powerful color. The color of lips and blood and rubies and fire. The color of a cord that saved a family. Rahab and the spies. A sign of salvation. This shade of scarlet.

“Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death...Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.” “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.” 
-Joshua 2: 12-13, 17-18, 21