scarlet

Capturing the essence of a color is one of the most difficult tasks a word can have, but here's one that does it with both the grim imagery of an old wound - "scar" - and the idle fragility of a delicate suffix - "-let." This is quite appropriate for a color that bears the burdens of both seduction and tragedy, one found in the fevered blush of abrupt emotion and the bloodied remnants of equally passionate crimes. That objects as cold as words - and words without weight are themselves indeed quite cold and clinical, despite their potency - can carry these heaviest of passions is a considerable testament to their power. Or is the power our own?