My blue is not that of a mariner's hankering
for seascapes, nor the hue of rivers I follow faithfully
- rather these favour steel and teal
before the plunge into a foaming bice brine

My blue is not that mood indigo 
lodging wax-like in the ear when light is dimmed
nor a melancholia that sticks betwixt ribs
sung with a breathy sax after the midnight hour

My blue is that of woodland bells
when the April cuckoo chimes out Spring
and I could cry for the brevity of its passing

38 thoughts on “My Blue”

1. I like this description of a mood: “nor a melancholia that sticks betwixt ribs”

   1. Thanks Frank – it’s where the emotional pain gets us sometimes

2. Well this certainly is poetry, smile. You do put me in mind of the Texas bluebells that grow wild, and herald Spring with strident hues and facile fragrances

   1. Thank you Glenn – Our wildflowers are called English or Scottish bluebells depending on locale – a kind of hyacinth & very different from yours which are Eustomas though both herald Spring

3. This was so beautifully written. I love your descriptions of the different kinds of blue.

   1. I do appreciate your comment Astrid – So many hues but none more blue than an existential longing and a Faustian moment!

4. I really love how you use the negation to come to that lovely conclusion of a wonderful blue of bluebells… My favorite blue is that of the alpine Gentiana

   1. Well observed the negation before the denouement!

5. I agree with you. The haze of bluebells beneath newly leafed trees is so delicate.

   1. And those blues are what heralds the sadly brief visit of cuckoo

      1. I haven’t heard a single one this year.

         1. Early to mid April is usually the time for arrivals here – those tagged in a BTO study are still in Africa

            https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project

            1. Maybe it’s too early for them then. I don’t remember when I heard them last year.

6. I love the shifts between the different blues, Laura, like changes in key. I like the ‘melancholia that sticks betwixt ribs / sung with a breathy sax after the midnight hour’, but my favourite blue is also the ‘woodland bells’, which take me back to childhood, picking flowers in Bluebell Wood with my mother.

   1. Ah those bluebell picking days are long gone! But thank you for all your lovely feedback Kim

7. Oh my aching heart this is gorgeous, Laura! 🥰 I love; “My blue is not that mood indigo lodging wax-like in the ear when light is dimmed…” Inspired~ 💝

   1. Your enthusiasm is music to my ears! Many thanks Sanaa

8. Laura, I had to go to my page of literary devices in poetry to identify the ones you used to well in your poem: consonance, assonance, and imagery. Tying blue to the different moods associated with it what ties it together with a beautiful bluebell bow.

   1. some lovely names for this beautiful hue – thank you for picking up on the poetry devices i wove in here!

      1. You are welcome!

9. to = so

10. The brevity of its passing – as I watch the numbers ticking past. And think about what each individual number means. Life is subdued, but leavened with humour, music.

    We are not yet on lockdown – but social distancing.

    1. these times are focusing us down to the moments – not a bad thing really

11. All of your blues are vivid, but blue flowers are a rare treat. (K)

    1. I agree – especially in Spring 🙂

12. Beautiful!

    1. ❤

13. What a lovely shade of blue – perfect for the short spring season. Your poem is a gem to read tonight.

    1. thank you for your appeciation Grace

14. What a treat, Laura…

    1. thank you Marina – your name evokes the bluest blue

       1. Funny enough, sea is my element! 😉 xoxoxo

15. Love both the internal rhyme and the surprise of “these favour steel and teal”

    1. many thanks for your feedback – much appreciated

16. Very nice. The last stanza is hopeful then that last line, bam. So short. Beautifully done.

    1. lovely comment – thank you – that last line evokes my blue best!

17. This struck me as so lyrical Laura. I’m no poet but I love the rhythm and pace of this as well as the meaning. The image is a perfect compliment. Which came first ?😊

    1. you have the appreciation of a poet Tina – thank you. Neither came first as such- the words conjured what I was after and the archive surrendered bluebells 😉

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