>.< I use blue in one of my fictions and very much because of what you described, as a symbol for something grand and hard to put to words. I imagine blue as the larger color of our world: the skies, the oceans and life giving water. It’s the spirit, life, and something unreachable.
i love how this starts in the sensory world and moves so naturally into memory, history, and emotion. the connection between blue’s material and emotional cost is so poignant, especially through the lens of plath and nelson. it’s reflective in the gentlest way, quietly profound.
Love how the essay moves fluidly between different interpretations of the colors without ever pinning them down. The final line is perfect, quiet, unresolved, and haunting, just like blue itself.
“For the Tuareg people of North Africa, indigo-dyed robes mark identity and social standing; the dye stains their skin, earning them the name “the Blue People.””
It is lovely the way you weave in and out of the translations of color in blue, the writings of blue, the Tuareg people. They are 2.7% my people. (Arab.) My Cherokee people also have a clan called “Blue”. Thank you for coloring my morning azul, indigo, ultramarine, blue. 🙂Judi
Wonderful essay. It all resonates. A clear blue sky reflects so many states of being. It can make you feel buoyant and alive. Small, lonely and insignificant. It can be illuminating, yet steely and austere. It’s expansive and infinite. Sometimes impersonal. We feel like we can see forever, until we become bored with its oblique stillness. Poetic and lyrical, we overuse its reference. At the same time, who doesn’t love a clear, blue sky?
I liked it so much that I bought one of her books. I rarely do that! (Especially brand new, haha.) She has a clean, consise—yet lyrical—writing style that really appeals to me. I don’t like a lot of poetics for the sake of it; lots of heavy lines competing for attention put me off. Her writing is beautiful in its quiet clarity. I’m looking forward to reading more!
Oh, I'm so glad you think so! And, as an aside, Viagra For Caribou retains best essay title ever status for me...(intrigued? It's not what you think...)
You’ve written this in such a lovely way. I always answer that my favorite color is sunset blue, not just the deep blue once the sun has disappeared, but the spectrum from light to deep to dark.
I find it fascinating that scholars believe that in Greece, in ancient times, there was either no specific word for the color blue. When Homer spoke of the sea in his epic poems he always used the term ‘ wine-dark ‘ instead of using the direct term: blue. I feel there is a mystery there…
Reading this post i’m reminded of the German phrase “Blaue Blume”. It means blue flower and it represents desire desire, love, the striving for the infinite and unreachable, and spiritual longing.
>.< I use blue in one of my fictions and very much because of what you described, as a symbol for something grand and hard to put to words. I imagine blue as the larger color of our world: the skies, the oceans and life giving water. It’s the spirit, life, and something unreachable.
‘It’s the spirit, life, and something unreachable.’—I love this! Thanks for sharing 🩵
Incredible. Learning has never been so beautiful and poetic. I grow with everything you post. 🙏🏼❤️
Thank you. Writing these is a good excuse for me to learn and reread old books. I think I might work my way through all the colours, just for fun! 🩵
I’d be totally there for it. But not like that even needs to be said. ☺️💕
." I think I might work my way through all the colours," Yes please!
i love how this starts in the sensory world and moves so naturally into memory, history, and emotion. the connection between blue’s material and emotional cost is so poignant, especially through the lens of plath and nelson. it’s reflective in the gentlest way, quietly profound.
Thank you! 🩵
Love how the essay moves fluidly between different interpretations of the colors without ever pinning them down. The final line is perfect, quiet, unresolved, and haunting, just like blue itself.
Thank you! 🩵
“For the Tuareg people of North Africa, indigo-dyed robes mark identity and social standing; the dye stains their skin, earning them the name “the Blue People.””
It is lovely the way you weave in and out of the translations of color in blue, the writings of blue, the Tuareg people. They are 2.7% my people. (Arab.) My Cherokee people also have a clan called “Blue”. Thank you for coloring my morning azul, indigo, ultramarine, blue. 🙂Judi
‘Blue Potato’! I need to look them up now. Thank you 🩵
I just realized I wrote that wrong, the clan is Blue, not Blue Potato. Early morning foggy brain….Potato is a separate clan. 🙂
Don’t worry. My brain is so foggy at the moment.
https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/education/the-cherokee-clan-system/article_a88fcc42-f3f8-5f33-b575-8cff7d3bffd2.html
And “Wild Potato”
Thanks, I hope yours clears soon! Mine is almost awake now…
You’re welcome! My clan is Deer Clan. Here is a link to the Cherokee Word List: https://language.cherokee.org/word-list/
Thank you!
Welcome…
Wonderful essay. It all resonates. A clear blue sky reflects so many states of being. It can make you feel buoyant and alive. Small, lonely and insignificant. It can be illuminating, yet steely and austere. It’s expansive and infinite. Sometimes impersonal. We feel like we can see forever, until we become bored with its oblique stillness. Poetic and lyrical, we overuse its reference. At the same time, who doesn’t love a clear, blue sky?
As always, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading! 🩵
Such a beautiful essay on the colour of my psyche, and 98% of my wardrobe!
Rebecca Solnit's Blue of Distance will forever stay with me...finding beauty even in distance or separation has been so important.
Ooh, I’m just reading this now. I found a PDF file online. It’s beautiful.
Haha! And normally it's me rushing off to read something new on your recommendation! A Field Guide to Getting Lost never leaves my side. Enjoy
I liked it so much that I bought one of her books. I rarely do that! (Especially brand new, haha.) She has a clean, consise—yet lyrical—writing style that really appeals to me. I don’t like a lot of poetics for the sake of it; lots of heavy lines competing for attention put me off. Her writing is beautiful in its quiet clarity. I’m looking forward to reading more!
Oh, I'm so glad you think so! And, as an aside, Viagra For Caribou retains best essay title ever status for me...(intrigued? It's not what you think...)
Okay, now I have to rush off and read this one!
This is beautiful, I'm incredibly drawn to blue as well.
Thanks Suswati!
this was an incredible read; everything you write invites me to slow down and settle in the details. thank you for your work!
Ah, thank you so much for reading! That’s lovely to hear.
You’ve written this in such a lovely way. I always answer that my favorite color is sunset blue, not just the deep blue once the sun has disappeared, but the spectrum from light to deep to dark.
Thank you; that’s such a lovely way of putting it—sunset blue as the whole spectrum of blue! 🩵
Exactly! (I figured you’d get it without need for further explanation!)
Blue is my favorite color for a reason 💙🌊🩵
One of mine too. I find it calming 🩵
I mean, 'Blue' ..who knew?
I'm always fascinated when you decide to share your insights regarding a literary nuance that us earthlings fail to notice.
The last I recall was "The Image Remains" .. (Imagism, impermanence, and how a poem can stay long after it’s gone.)"
Would Prof. D. Girl consider holding a class on, let's say, the third Thursday of each month?
Gorgeous. Love the history and the tracing of this (blue) thread
Thanks Samara!
I find it fascinating that scholars believe that in Greece, in ancient times, there was either no specific word for the color blue. When Homer spoke of the sea in his epic poems he always used the term ‘ wine-dark ‘ instead of using the direct term: blue. I feel there is a mystery there…
Yes, I feel like this needs an entire separate essay! Such a fascinating idea
Blue is my favorite color too. Any shade! I loved this essay.
It’s such a calming colour! And thank you very much for reading.
Reading this post i’m reminded of the German phrase “Blaue Blume”. It means blue flower and it represents desire desire, love, the striving for the infinite and unreachable, and spiritual longing.
I really enjoyed reading this!
Oh, I’ve started learning German but that’s not a phrase I’ve come across. Interesting! It’s a lovely phrase. And thank you :)