What is Orange?
by Mary O’Neill
Orange is a tiger lily,
A carrot,
A feather from
A parrot,
A flame,
The wildest color
You can name.
Orange is a happy day
Saying good-by
In a sunset that
Shocks the sky.
Orange is brave
Orange is bold
It’s bittersweet
And marigold.
Orange is zip
Orange is dash
The brightest stripe
In a Roman sash.
Orange is an orange
Also a mango
Orange is music
Of the tango.
Orange is the fur
Of the fiery fox,
The brightest crayon
In the box.
And in the fall
When the leaves are turning
Orange is the smell
Of a bonfire burning…
orange marmalade 
What a treat to find this poem. I heard Mary recite this poem @ the Nathan Hale Homestead Poetry Fest many years ago. It was the highlight f the day for me. I did not record the year! I simply hand copied the poem on the inside cover of my journal.
Wow! That is so interesting to hear. What a lovely event to be a part of. Thank you for sharing. I have always loved this poem.
Reblogged this on Faith in a world of diversity and commented:
A beautiful poem.
Wow , I remember reciting this poem in the 4th grade Oratorical contest! I also remember winning In my fourth grade class and throughout the district of Compton California representing my school Mayo Elementary!
I am 40 years old now what a sweet surprise seeing this lovely poem.
What a great memory! I do love this poem and have used it often as a springboard for kids’ writing exercises. I also recited poetry in speech competitions in school 🙂 And remember my mother reeling off poetry she had learned as a girl in the ’30s. Such a lovely practice.
I like what the poem is about. I realize that it is about the list of things that are orange i really like the detail of the poem I like how the author rhyme in the poem it give the poem a boost of the people loving it.I just finish my zoom, we were doing this topic and I really enjoy the topic this topic is so amazing, I just want to say thank you for writing this incredible,amazing loving poem thank you so much.
I made a tribute to this poem, called “What is Red?”
Red is a dragonfruit
It’s rust,
Dead flowers
In the dust,
A rage,
A madman locked in
Iron cage.
Red is a dawn on
Martyrs’ graves
Painted walls in ancient caves.
Red is life
Red is lust
It’s the shade
Of wounded trust.
Red is ripped
Red is raw
The searing breath
In a tiger’s maw.
Red is a chilli pepper
Also a cherry
Red is the taste
Of a picked strawberry.
Red is the salmon
That conquers the stream,
A failed revolution’s
Tattered dream.
And at night as
Dreams insurrect defiant
Red is the glint
Of a faraway giant…
A stunning piece. Thank you so much for sharing your work.
A joy to read.
Sent from my iPad
>