Red and White

The lawn in front of Eliot Hall at Reed is covered with small flags. At first glance, it looks like a dusting of snow. On second look, you can discern scattered concentrations and dots of red.

Each of the 112,000 white flags represents six Iraqis who died in the Iraq war. Each of the 3,000 or so red flags stands for a dead American soldier.

At the edge of the lawn are bundles of additional flags; a sign invites you to plant some of your own.

Red and white make pink. My first camellia blossom is out. Spring is stirring in Portland, and that obscene war goes on.