Sunday, February 08, 2009

"Brown"

My vision is altered, changed-
No longer can I see
The perfect simplicity
Of Black and White

Even the color of love,
Once a cotton-fluff-shade-of pink
Is splattered with the intense purple of passion,
And smeared with drops of Crimson

As if the Secret doors, or-
The curtain behind which Oz is hiding-
Have all been opened,
Or pulled back.

~Nothing is quite what it seems~


The light of each day surrenders to the dark,
Birth is not painless
Love is often complicated
Our Golden-life-giving Sun causes cancer

Opposite sides of the same coin
Are both seen at once-
My mind is barely pliable
Enough to grasp the harsh truth
Behind each reality.



I wonder though, if my altered sight is an improvement or a deterioration?


Much as a scuba diver drops into a world of watery filled light- with visibility in sharp decline to the surface above, and yet, a whole new world appears before him.

Eyes adjust, new discoveries are made with whatever light is possible.
Reflective patterns on spotted fishes and Orange coral are only to be seen with a mask and in the liquid murky depths of the sea.

The experience will change the diver, but did his vision improve because of the experience?
I only know the ocean will never look the same to him again.

They say with age comes wisdom.
These days I mostly feel befuddled.

The colors I associate with life have begun to run-
The vibrant oil paints have become watercolors.


Blue bleeds into red = purple streaks-
Yellow washes into Blue = green flourishes.
All the colors of the rainbow drip on to the floor...
There are NO shades of Gray,

I see Muddy Brown.

The questions and answers,
Myths, truth, illusions, and reality-
All exist is this most earthy of shades...
the color of soil, and seeds, tiny birds, and swollen rivers.

Gone are the days of Black and White.


-CRB 11-30-2008

13 comments:

NYD said...

Everything rusts, dear. Just make sure all the parts are well oiled and in good working order then things will follow their natual course. The only constant in life is change.

The Phosgene Kid said...

I see color, but it kind of fuzzy without my glasses. Can'
t hear very well either, which can be a blessing. Mrs. Phos's voice has faded into that annoying buzz in the background.

Libby said...

cora, this is fascinating...i read it through twice, both times trying to figure out if it made me happier or sadder...both times i felt the same...confused...that'a life in february, i guess.

Unknown said...

If we aren't seeing the world in black and white then I would say that IS wisdom.

Mayden' s Voyage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
darkfoam said...

when i teach my students color theory,
i give them only 3 colors .. red, blue, yellow ..
it's amazing how fast they are able to create 'mud' .. and they are more delighted by that then any other color they come up with.

like sj said ..
it's a wise person that can see beyond black and white .. and into the varied gradations of 'brown'.

Mayden' s Voyage said...

NYD-
May all my parts be well oiled until the end...I pray for as much ;)

Phos...lol- I will be the Buzz in someone's background- I can only hope to provide a suitable visual as he fades out.

Libby- Part of this poem was inspired by sad things- and part inspired by what I learned, which makes me happy. The more I reflect on the last 12 months- the more complex I realize it was. If you feel confused- then I'm in good company- hugs :)

Yes SJ...you are absolutely correct :)

Foamy- Brown is good...very good. Much better than black and white :)

Helene said...

Like Libby I couldnt discern if this was a happy or a sad post,
but like you said, many things are not mutually exclusive...

I often think that ignorance is bliss. While this is true, the depth of knowledge is something to definitely cherish.

I think we need a catch up chat!!!

Skunkfeathers said...

Life is a wave from the sea, ever shifting, ever flowing, surging, receding, to the next wave, the next shape.

Not terribly deep for a landlubber, but best I had at 3:21am ;)

A *hug* to my wise friend.

Anonymous said...

cora,

this is
a lovely piece
of poetry or prose

(i can't make up my mind, but it's lovely in spite or because of)

black and white? was life ever? really? browns are so much richer... and warmer(!)

warm thoughts to you & yours <3

¤ ¤ ¤

/t.

Anonymous said...

loved it. and perfect for the time. i think you hit on a collective state of mind it can be applied in so many ways. is that........chickory last pic??? ;-)

Lady Prism said...

What caught my eye was the stunning sky picture!


evocative picture to match a thought provoking poem...


am' thinking...

Helene said...

Thinking of you! Hope your brown is a little pink today!
xoxo