Outside the Darkness Is Color – A Poem
I wasn’t sure what to write today, so I decided to check out the dVerse Poets Pub writing prompt for today. The Saturday prompt has led me to a few good poems in the past, so I thought I’d give it a try again.
The prompt today is to write a poem that has something to do with color, to Play with Color. One part of Victoria’s post caught my attention: “Color depends on light, because it is made of light. In the absence of light, we do not see color.”
Outside the Darkness Is Color
Living in darkness
no color I see
a hint of deep blue
maybe red
but no, only blackness
Tears flood the darkness
trying to wash away
the blackness
to reveal the color
I know must be near
I’ve heard stories
of vibrant yellow sunshine
smiling green trees
happiness in rainbows
streaming across
a pale blue sky
But in the darkness
these colors
are but myths
draped in blackness
obscured by
the pain I feel
Then suddenly
the Light comes
dim colors
revealed to my eyes
for my heart to see
The Light
drawn by my tears
came to wash away
the blackness
tears alone
could never heal
The colors of
my world brighten
day by day
as the Light illuminates
the truth of colors
that were always
just outside the darkness
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
Matthew 4:15-16 (NIV).
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Nice direction with the color prompt 🙂
Perfect depiction of depression, Linda.
Light as life, light as savior, light as resurrection, light as source – all true and a great over-riding metaphor here.
A little light works miracles, a lovely sentiment in response to the prompt. I am glad to hear you’ve addressed the depression. Among my friends and family coming out of the darkness of depression has made all the difference in their lives. A spiritual path keeps them in the light.
Interesting concept, well played
John, For me it was not a mere concept, but my reality for many years of major depression. I am thankful to see the colors quite vividly now. Peace, Linda
Wonderful how you tied this into Mt. Reading the poem I felt like a blind person must feel who doesn’t know color and then tied it in to spiritual blindness. Wow, Linda. Glad you took this prompt and ran with it!
Thank you! One thing I love about poetry is that the reader can draw something different from – but related to – what the writer had in mind. I never once thought of Matthew when I was writing this. My only thought was of my struggle with depression and how the Light of Jesus saved me from that darkness. But so much more can be found in my words, and that is wonderful! Peace, Linda
light is bright enough to chase away darkness and dry your tears.
bless you, keep writing fantastic poetry.
🙂
Thank you for such a nice comment! And a smile, too. 🙂 Peace, Linda
OMG thats such an inspiring poem….. Love it….
Thank you. I’m glad you were inspired. 🙂 Peace, Linda
reminds me of Plato’s man from the cave
I vaguely remember that, but it’s been almost 30 years since I read Plato. 😉 Peace, Linda
You can express what we feel in your poems so well, Linda. A beautiful gift . . .a healing with words. I remember those days of darkness , even when the sun was shining. So thankful that He came and colored my world! God bless you as you live in the Light!
Deb, I love that, “He came and colored my world!” What a wonderful Savior. 🙂 Peace, Linda
very meaningful write… i like that truth of colors ~
nice…imagine for a second you were one of the blind that Jesus heals and all the sudden sensory information that would come flooding in that first time you saw color…
Brian, When I wrote this I was thinking of spiritual darkness and depression, but this is an interesting exercise to imagine being like the man born literally blind who Jesus healed as an adult. To suddenly see when you never could before would be . . . I don’t even know what word would describe it. Peace, Linda
i agree…and i can def see the direction you came from as well….thanks for shining a light in on dverse …you are appreciated…
Thanks Brian. I appreciate your encouragement, and all the folks at dVerse do to encourage poets in general. Hard to believe it’s been a year! As they say, time flies when you are having fun. Peace, Linda