What is pink? a rose is pink
By the fountain’s brink.
What is red? a poppy’s red
In its barley bed.
What is blue? the sky is blue
Where the clouds float thro’.
What is white? a swan is white
Sailing in the light.
What is yellow? pears are yellow,
Rich and ripe and mellow.
What is green? the grass is green,
With small flowers between.
What is violet? clouds are violet
In the summer twilight.
What is orange? why, an orange,
Just an orange!

Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) wrote 'What is Pink? and many other poems. Her name is Italian but she lived all her life in England.

When she was very young Christina began writing poetry. She was very religious and loved nature. All her life she had poor health but her poetry celebrates things many people do not notice.

Her brother was the famous painter, Gabriel Dante Rossetti

''Gone were but the Winter, Come were but the Spring, I would go to a covert Where the birds sing.''

Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894), British poet. Spring Quiet (l. 1-4). . . The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti. Vol. 1. R. W. Crump, e...

Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you: But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through.''

Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894), British poet. Who has seen the wind? (Sing-Song) (l. 1-4). . . The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti. ...

You can find a British Council lesson plan to work with this poem here.