There is a deep brooding
In Arkansas.
Old crimes like moss pend
From poplar trees.
The sullen earth
Is too much too
Red for comfort.
Sunrise seems to hesitate
And in that second
Lose its
Red is the colour of blood, and because of this it has historically been associated with sacrifice, danger, and courage. 
 Angelou uses the term “red” in her poem to refer to a sign of danger.
My Arkansas