Founders’Note Editors’Note favorite color SunsetColors WhatisScheele’sGreen? ColorSquares Strawberries SairaN.,7th Fireworks CarolineL.,7th apurplesunset TheSea’sSunset OrangeinAncientEgypt WheretheRiverHoldstheSky ABCs TownofBlue SkylarF.,7th fearsandflaws BandsawBox ThePhoenix LaraK.,6th UndertheSameBlackSky MulticolorRaindrops CrystalL.,6th UndertheTree,NexttotheFlowers,and BesidetheGnome EndlessPancakes WhatisRed? OcéanoVerde Anonymous,7th Reflections SierraA.,7th Chartreuse OtisV.,5th UsesofBlue HelenaG.,7th TheEarthWaitsforNoOne Flight SimonG.,5th Blobs BenF.,7th colorofconfusion FruitGathering AGift BloodyMary EverestB.,7th Color RaniaB.,5th InLivingColor OnlyaDream JosalieK.,8th ColorinBloom LanaG.,7th ArtificialBlending(ofColors) Boing RohanK.,6th Seasons Colorless SerenaL.,8th HowPinkandBlueBecameGenderedColors ThePigeon ClaraS.S.,7th TheFightAgainstStereotypes SpinningColors NotJustaPainting AWalk HistoryThroughColor KonradJ.,7th AFieldofPurpleFlowers coloroflostchildhood PaintingtheStars Look DavidL.,5th TapestryofColor ThePowerBehindPurple Untitled Anonymous,8th Self-Portrait MayaL.,8th colorofaugusts AtDawn AlyssaJ.,7th IWishIKnew EditingTeam Editors-in-Chief:VivienneJ.&SofiaG.-O.
Editor-in-ChiefApprentices:VismayM.,BenF.,ShriyaV.
DesignLeads:KylieS.&GwynnieC.-M.
DesignApprentices:EllieW.&MillieL.
DigitalDesignTeam:IraS.,LanaG.,ManasviS.
Publicity:SkylarF.&MaddieB.
PublicityApprentice:AlexaT.
PoetryLead:MayaM.
ClaraS.S.
WilliamA.
NikhilS.
GwynnieC.-M.
CarolineL. IshaP. LaraK.
NonfictionLead:MadiK.
LanaG. JosalieK.
NaomiL. AbbyA. PeterL.
FictionLead:MaddieB.
MayaL. RachelL. DavidL. GwynnieC.-M.
ArtLead:AubriG. SkylarF. SierraA. ManasviS. HelenaG.
DigitalLead:CarolineL. NikhilS. SkylarF. BenF. GradyC.
FacultyAdvisor:AnnaLyon
Flight-SimonG.,5th
Blobs-BenF.,7th
-SkylarF.,7th 53 BloodyMary-EverestB.,7th 54 Color-RaniaB.,5th 55 InLivingColor-NaomiL.,5th
OnlyaDream-JosalieK.,8th
Boing-RohanK.,6th
seasons-SofiaG.-O.,8th
Colorless-SerenaL.,8th
HowPinkandBlueBecameGenderedColors-GraceJ.,7th 78 Red-AudreyS.,7th
80 ThePigeon-ClaraS.S.,7th
81 TheFightAgainstStereotypes-SamitK.&NirvaanG.,6th
84 SpinningColors-LorettaS.,6th
85 NotJustaPainting-GraceL.,6th
86 AWalk-TobyG.,7th
88 HistoryThroughColor-KonradJ.,7th
93 AWorldofColor-AndreaS.,6th
94 AFieldofPurpleFlowers-CelinaL.,7th
96 coloroflostchildhood-Anonymous,8th
98 MoonlightGlimmer-BenF.,7th
98 PaintingtheStars-EmilyL.,6th
99 Look-DavidL.,5th
100 TapestryofColor-JTL.,8th
102 ThePowerBehindPurple-SierraA.,7th
106 Untitled-Anonymous.,8th
107 Self-Portrait-MayaL.,8th
110 colorofaugusts-VivienneJ.,8th
111 AtDawn-AlyssaJ.,7th
112 IWishIKnew-Anonymous,8th BackCover-Expression-AlexaT.,6th
Founders’Note DearReader,
TheMavMindbeganasasmall,solitarydreaminthedepthsofthe pandemic.ConstrainedbytheZoomscreen andthenthecomplications ofhybridlearning itwasawaytofindcommunityincreativityand transcendourisolation.
Atthestart,wewereagroupofcurioussixthgraders,whose somewhatchaoticweeklymeetingswerefueledbyadetermination, althoughwemaynothaverealizeditatthetime,torefutetheassumption thatmakingartisaone-personactivity.Weenthusiasticallyhungposters, toldourfriendstosubmit,andworshippedthe(tous)miracletoolof Canva andendedupwithfourissuesinourfirstyear,chock-fullofthe writingandartofourfellowmiddle-schoolers.
Butthatwasonlythebeginning.Asouroriginalcohortgrewolderand welcomednewmembers,TheMavMindevolved,experimentingwithnew designs(anddesignsoftwares),methodsofrecruitment,andediting protocols.Bytheendof2024,wewereholdingourveryfirstin-printissue inourhands,andwehadteamsoftrainededitors,designers,andmarketers workingtomakeourcollectivevisionpossible.
Althoughwe,thefoundingeditors-in-chief,arenowhalfwaythrough ourhighschooljourney,TheMavMindisthriving.Ithasgrownsofar beyondourwildestimaginings,andweareinperpetualaweofeveryissue, eachbetterthanlast,thathascomeoutsincewegraduated.Ourheartsare fullofsomuchgratitude forAnnaLyon,ourpassionate,wonderful facultyadvisor;forthesuperstarteamofcurrenteditorsandcreators,and everyteamofthepast;andforeverysinglestudentwhohasbeenbrave enoughtosharetheirworkwithus.
TheMavMindhasalwaysbeenbyandfortheNuevaMiddleSchool, anditmeanstheworldtousthatthere’saplaceoncampuswherecreativity iswelcomed,celebrated,andshared.Weknowit’singoodhands;thankyou fortakingthetimetoreadit.
Sincerely,
Editors’Note DearReader,
WelcometoVolumeV,IssueIIofTheMavMind!Thankyouso muchforyoursupportofmiddle-schoolliteratureandart.Thisissue’s themeisColor,abroadthemethatsparkedatremendousamountof studentcreativity.Inthissemester’sissue,weexperimentedwithnew genres,includinganimation,music,andcode.Nothingcouldhave preparedusfortheresult:aburstofstudentworkstrongerthanever, witharecord-breakingeighty-eightsubmissionsandseventy-one acceptedpieces.Wealsohadthepleasureofreadinganabundanceof bilingualwriting,includingMandarin,Spanish,andJapanese, showcasingourcommunity’smulticulturalvalues.
Color,howeversuccessful,isbittersweet,asitisthelastissuewe willoverseeaseditors-in-chief.We’rebothgraduatingfrommiddle schoolthisyearandsayinggoodbyetoeverythingwe’vebuiltonthe strongfoundationestablishedbyourpredecessors,RayaI.andAveryC. TheMavMindhasbecomemorethanamagazine it’saplacewhere we ’vetrulyfoundourpeopleandupheldthevalueofcreativityina changingworld.It’severyWednesdaywespentcollaboratingoverideas, editingpieces,andformingtreasuredmemories.Thanksamilliontoall thewonderfulpeoplewhowentonthistwo-yearjourneywithus.We aredelightedtopasstheeditorialbatontoourillustriousapprentices BenF.andVismayM.,andtheirownapprentice,ShriyaV.We’re confidentthattheywillgoaboveandbeyond!
Andwiththat,wehopeyouenjoyourfinal,colorful,multilingual farewelltotheMavMindJournalofArtandLiterature.Don’thesitate toemailthemavmind@nuevaschool.orgifyouhaveanyquestions!
Bestwishes(forthelasttime!),
VivienneJ.andSofiaG.-O. Editors-in-Chief
favorite color AudreyC.,8th littlekidssay, myfavoritecolorisrainbow. pink,red,orange… pastel,pastel,pastel. pureinnocence, apaletteoffantasticaldreams embodiedinsweet smiles. Butthat’snothowlifeworks. Lifeisaneasel, Streakedwithcrimsonandruby. Stainedbrushessplash Aquamarineandturquoise Ondrycanvases, Sprinklesofbrightdays Outlinedwithtopazandamber. Rollinghillsof Rawemeraldsanddeepjades. Mutedbronzeandripeapricot Flitfromopalescent-cloud-filledskies. Heavygrayandmatteblack Veinsseepin,wispsof Darknesstricklingin. Acollisionofpigments, Fleckedandwashed, Everyday. Nothinginlifeis picture-perfect.
SunsetColors NikhilS.,7th
Greycrumblingcrackingcliffs
RelentlessRelentlesswaves,andHowlingHowlingwind Crashingandbreakingcausingdecay
Becomingsand,acoarsepowder, Amutedyellowthat Concealsmilesandmilesofshore,aslongastheeyecansee
Swayingpalmtrees,backandforth,backandforth
Branchesalightgreenhue,theshadeofaripeavocado
Tallandmajestic,reachingforthesky
Thecobaltbluesea
Eitherlappinggentlyor Heavingitselfupandcrashingonthesandyshores Overandoveragain
Butthatsameoceanis
Still,stillfartherout
AsIgazeupatthesky,Isee,
Theharshyellowwhiteofthelateafternoon
Fadinggentlyasitnearsthehorizon
Itcastslightintothesky
Thehuesemergeslowly
Eachcolorfightingharmoniouslyforaplaceinthehorizons
Amuted,gentlepurplemagic
Tingesofamethystemergingfromtheedges
Theshadesofpurple,subtlebutexquisite
Streakedacrossthemulticoloredeasel
Bytheartistofnature
Blendingwithabrightyellow
Fadingintoarosecoloredhue
Intoadeep,darkblue
Blendingwiththemidnightbluesea
Thismemorablesnapshotintime
Frozenforeverinmymind
Ofmyarmaroundmyparents’backs
Eyesfixed,staring,atthepicturesquescene
Thecolorsofthesky
Loscoloresdelcielo
Fadeaway,fade,fade,fade,fade,fade...
Slowlygobbledupbythehungryhorizon
Untiltheworldgoes
black
WhatisScheele’sGreen? GradyC.,7th ManyhistoriansbelievethatNapoleondiedfrombitsofhis wallpaperflakingoff.Thewallpapermentionedwasavibrantgreen,but inthatgreenwasahiddenspecialingredient.Thewallpaperwaschock fullofcopperarsenite,whichismadebycombiningarsenicandcopper, whichmanyAgathaChristiefanswillknowisarecipeforpoison.
In1775,CarlWilhelmScheele,aSwedishchemistfamedfor discoveringoxygenasanelement,createdapigmentknownas “Scheele’sGreen.”Therewasonlyaslightproblem.Thepaint containedcopperarsenite,whichsomemayknowisverypoisonous. Despiteitspoisonousnature,itwasverypopular.Thegreenwas vibrant,andatthattime,therewerenotmanygreenpigmentsinthe world,(despitethefactthathumaneyescanseemorecolorsofgreen thananyothercolor,whichmaybethankstothefactthatourancestors neededtonavigateinajungle,andtotellifafruitwasreadytoeator not).Attheendofthe19thcentury,Scheele’sgreenhadmostly replacedtheoldergreenpigmentsthatwerebasedoncoppercarbonate. Manyquestionshavearisen,suchaswhycopperarsenitewasusedinthe productionofScheele’sgreen.
Toanswerthis,wefirstmustunderstandtheeffectScheele'sgreen hasonpeople.AccordingtothecolorhistorianVictoriaFinlay,Scheele inventedthisgreen“almostaccidentally.”Scheelejumpedatthechance toproduceacolornamedafterhim,becausehisfirstpigment,abright yellow,wasstolenbyaBritishmanufacturer.Inalettertoafriend, Scheeleexplainedhisconcernsaboutthepoisonouspigment.“There wassomethingthattroubledhim,”Finlaywrites.Ayearbeforethecolor wentintoproduction,hewrotethathethoughtusersmightwantto knowaboutitspoisonousnature.“Butwhat’salittlearsenicwhen
you ’vegotagreatnewcolortosell,”Finlayjokes.Obviously,Scheele wasalittleself-conscious,buthewasmorefocusedonsellinghispaint. Hewasnotamoral,somuchasfocusedonsellinghisnewpigment.
Thereasonthatcopperarsenitewasusedwasthepurevibranceit created.Itwasoftenusedbyflorists,andthesefloristswerebeing “slowlydestroyedfromtheoutsideinbytheircontactwithScheele’s green, ” saysTheParisReview.Itperfectlymimickedthehuesfoundin nature.It“wasn’ttooyellow,norwasittooteal.”Butthecopperinit sometimesfadedandblackenedwhenexposedtosulfides,likeinsome pigmentmixtures.Thefactthatarsenicwaspoisonouswasnotawellknownfactintheearly19thcentury.Butthen,inthe1830sand1840s, someEuropeannationshadfoundoutjusthowdangerousitwas,and bannedarsenic-containingpigments.Evenso,Scheele’sgreendidn't reallyfalloutoffavoruntilthe1860s.
Manypeople,includingWilliamMorris,amemberoftheBritish artsandcraftsmovement,werereluctantatfirsttoadmitthatarsenic couldbedangerous.Butasafutureownerofacoppermine,which producedarsenicdustasabyproductofminingactivity,Morriswould havebeenconsciousofthepoisonousdust.Whenhewasinformedthat theminersweregettingsickfromarsenicpoisoning,hetoldthe informantsthatthey“werebittenbywitchfever,”meaningtheyhad gonecrazy.Inotherwords,hedismissedtheirclaims.Thisstatementis ironicbecauseMorrishadcampaignedforsaferworkingconditionsfor textilemanufacturers,andhefeltstronglyaboutusingnaturaldyes, includingcochinealandrosemadder.
Anotherquestionthatcomesupiswhypeopleinthenineteenth centuryevenuseditiftheyknewitwasdangerous.That'samore complicatedquestion.AccordingtoTheParisReview,“Theallureof Scheele’sgreenwasimpossibletoresist(eventhoughbythelate19th centurytheVictorians
wereallwellawareofthetoxiceffectsofingestingarsenic).”Surprisingly, alotofartistsusedScheele’sgreen,likeChildeHassaminhis watercolourofWhiteMountainsfromPolandSprings.OdilonRedon’s pastelpaintingofSîtafromthe1890susesEmeraldGreen,Chrome Yellow,andchalkintheyellow-greenhalothatsurroundsthewoman’s head.Workingwithsoftpastelscontainingthispigmentofpoisonwas particularlydangerous,becauseofthelikelihoodofinhalingtheirdust.
AnotheruseforScheele’sgreenwasfashion.Eventhoughitwas poisonous,Scheele’sgreenwasstrikingandprofitable.Thecolorwas notonlycheaptoproduce,butitaccuratelymimickedthehuesfoundin nature.Womeningreendresseswerefoundill,swooningindroves.The arsenicthatmadethecolorinScheele’sGreensovibrantwasalso responsibleforitsdeadliness.
Inall,thefactbecomesclearthatcopperarsenitewasusedinthe pigmentbecauseofthevibranceitcreated.Somepeopleworeitandeven decoratedtheirhomeswithitbecause,inthebeginning,theydidn't know,butthentheystoppedusingitbecausetheyfoundoutitwas poisonous.Asofnow,nobodyshouldbeatriskofScheele’sgreen,butit can’thurttochecktheingredients.
Bibliography “ADeadlyHue:Scheele'sGreen.”Meural,NETGEAR,16June 2021,my.meural.netgear.com/editorial/333/a-deadly-hue:scheele%27s-green.
Dragun,Iva."TheColourofDeath-Scheele'sGreen."Recipe, CroatianSocietyofMedicalBiochemistryandLaboratoryMedicine, 2May2025,recipe-cpsa.com/en/the-colour-of-death-scheeles-green/.
Husley,John,andAnnTrusty."GreenDeath|TheArtHistoryof Arsenic."ArtistsNetwork,www.artistsnetwork.com/arthistory/arsenic-art-history/.
Kelleher,Katy."Scheele'sGreen,theColorofFakeFoliageand Death."TheParisReview,ParisReview,2May2018, www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/05/02/scheeles-green-the-colorof-fake-foliage-and-death/.
Oakley,Howard."Pigment:PoisonGreens,Scheele'sandEmerald Greens."TheEclecticLightCompany,EclecticLightCompany,18 May2018,eclecticlight.co/2018/05/18/pigment-poison-greensscheeles-and-emerald-greens/.
"Scheele'sGreen."Wikipedia,WikimediaFoundation,18Oct.2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheele%27s green.
ColorSquares Strawberries SairaN.,7th Atfirstlight,thestrawberrieshanglikesmallhearts, faintlypulsing,alive. Redshiningagainstthesky. Theirskinnearthestemholdsawhisperofakabenai thatpale,blushingred thathiddensweetnessquietlypromised.
Lowerdown,wherethesunhaslingeredlonger, thecolordeepens, turningentan, aredthatholdsadarkwarmthinitsbreath sun-kissed,dark-honeyed.
Theseedsglintadullgold, tinyfrecklesscatteredacrossthesurface likeconstellationsscatteredacrossaredsky. Whenthewindpasses,theyshimmer, ahiddenbeautylyingwithin athousandlittlestarsrestingonasinglefruit.
Attheverybottom,whereripenesshasrippledthrougheverycell, thestrawberryglowskurenai aredthatfeelslikefire,rememberingtheshapeofaheart. Here,thesweetnessgathers, heavy,almostreadytofall.
Youcouldtastethejourneyineachshade: fromtenderakabenai, toburningentan, tothefull,achingkurenai thatmeansit’stime thecolorofsummer, thecolorofendingsthattastelikebeginnings.
Fireworks CarolineL.,7th AsIstandundertheshadowofTaipei101,Iglanceatmy watchfortheumpteenthtime;itseemstobesuspendedat11:59 p.m.Igroaninwardlyandwrapmyarmsaroundmyselfinan attempttowardoffthecold.Witheachsecondthatpasses,my anticipationgrows,andIallowmygazetotraveloverthemassive crowdgathered.Peoplecranetheirneckstolookupatthe skyscraper,andasIseetheirgrinsandheartheirlaughter,Iforget aboutthecoldforamoment.
Then,atlast,acountdownbeginsattheendofthecrowdand theirvoicestraveltowardsme.Ten.Nine.Eight.Seven…Icount along,gazingupatthetower.Six.Five.Four.Three.Two. One.
Foramoment,theworldfreezes,thenthere’sanexplosionof colorandsound.Fireworkszipintothesky,archingthroughtheair likeshootingstars.Sparksfly,firstred,thengreen,sparklingfaintly inthedarksky.Theworldlightsupasribbonsofgoldandsilverarc upTaipei101likeagoldenflower.Theshowendsasfierylights swallowupthetower,asifitwerewreathedinflames.
Asthelastofthefireworksfadeintosmokeandash,the crowdbeginstomove,voicesandconversationscuttingthroughthe nightair.Iclosemyeyesasthelingeringflashesofcolorfadeaway intodarkness.
apurplesunset VismayM.,7th thesunfightsthemoonasitresiststhechangefromdaytonight andamaranthpurplecolorstheair,battlingtheblithesky,and thesun,defeated,runsaway,withitstailofsoftlightbetween itslegs,reluctantlyjoiningacolonyofsunsreplacedeveryevening bythemoon
thedifferentshadesofpurplecyclethroughuntilaroyalhuepaintstheair, unveilinggloriousimperialpurple,andemperorscomeoutwiththeir mightyrobesandscepters,andtheygototaketheirplaceintheir throneswiththeirvelvetcushions
むらさきひのいりはわたしのおもしろいかぞくです。かぞくは むらさきがだいすきです。
「むらさきはなんですか」とわたしのあにははなします。「すべ てです」とおかあさんははなします。「なんと」とわたしははな します。
ききょはじょうくうですみますまでしみます。ふじもうまれて しみます。
thepurplesunsetismyfamily.
mybrotherwondersabouttheextentofpurple,mymothertellsus thatitisfull.iremainforeverinawe. adarkpurpleshadeintheskylivesanddies.adimmerpurpleisborn anddiestoo. asthecolors,withmanydifferentlanguagesandmanywaysofsayingthem, twirlthroughtheair, iliebackonthepurplishvelvetcarpetingthatcoats theskyandwatchbelowtheskyasmyfamilyliesdowntooandthink: differentpeople,differentcolors,differentlanguages.
TheSea’sSunset StellaL.,8th
OrangeinAncientEgypt GavinH.,7th Abstract InAncientEgypt,yellowandorangewereimportantinsocietal andculturalbeliefs.Infact,yellowandorangesymbolismwere basicallythesame;orangewasn’tadistinctanddefinedcolorin AncientEgypt.Orangeisactuallyarelativelymoderncolor,andback then,orangewassimplyviewedasadarkershadeof yellow.This historyheavilyinfluenceshowweseethecolorstoday.
TheimportanceofyellowandorangeinAncientEgyptwere basedontherarityofthepigmentanditstiestogolditselfandits godlymeanings.Tounderstandthissignificance,wemustlookatthe individualsymbolismoftheshadesandtheeffectsthattheyhadon AncientEgyptianandmodernsociety.
HowdidAncientEgyptiansmakeorangeandyellow? InAncientEgypt,yellowandorangewerebothveryculturally significantcolors.However,thereweren’teasywaystoaccessthe pigmentsandpaints.AccordingtoUniversityCollegeLondon, AncientEgyptianscreatedarichyellowcolorusingorpiment,ahighly toxicarsenicsulphidemineral.Itismainlyfoundasaresultofvolcanic activityandinhotsprings.Usingrealgar,anotherarsenicsulphide mineral,wasanotherwaythattheAncientEgyptiansmadea yellowish-orangecolor.Itwasalsoextremelytoxicbecauseitwas closelyrelatedtoorpiment.Realgarandorpimentwereoftenfound neareachother.Theywerenotverywidespread,buttheywerethe onlyorangeandyellowpigmentsavailableuntilchromeyellowsand orangesweremadeatthebeginningofthe19thcentury.
WhatwereorangeandyellowusedforinAncientEgypt? YellowandorangewerebothbigpartsofAncientEgyptian cultureandbeliefs.Yellowwasheavilyutilizedasasubstituteforgold
whengoldwasn’tanavailableresourcetouseinartworkorsculpture. Thiswaspossiblebecausegoldandyellowwereverysimilarin symbolism.InAncientEgypt,orangeandyellowwerealsoheavily usedforcoloringtombpaintings.Artistsachievedthiscolorusingthe toxicmineralpigmentsrealgarandorpiment.Orpimentwasalsoused forcoloringobjectsliketartonnagemasks,coffins,andpapyri.
Whatwasthesymbolismof orangeandyellowinAncientEgypt, andwhateffectsdothesesymbolshaveonsocialnormstoday?
InAncientEgypt,thisfamilyofcolorshadcloserelationsto divinityandeternity.AccordingtoEgyptMuseum,thiswaspartly becauseAncientEgyptiansviewedyellowandgoldasthefleshand skinofthegods.Lotsofstatuesandsculpturesofgodsweremade withgoldorcoveredingoldleaf,whichconsistsofsuper-thinlayersof gold.Basedonthisknowledge,wecanseethatgoldwasanextremely prestigiouscolorandhadalotofsignificantmeanings.Thisstrongly influenceshowweseegoldtodayasaprominent,respected,and distinguishedcolor.
Anothermeaningofyellowandgoldwasdepictionsofskin colorsofdifferentgenders.AccordingtoAncientEgyptOnline, “DuringtheOldKingdom,powerfulofficialswereoftendepicted withyellowskin,indicatingthatthey(likewomen)spentmoretime indoorsawayfromthesun’srays.Depictionsofgroupsofpeople oftenalternatedyellowandbrownskintodifferentiatethemembers ofthegroup,andyoungerpeopleweremoreoftendepictedwith lightercolouredskin.”Thisshowsthatwomenwereviewedasindoor andhouseholdfiguresinAncientEgypt.Theseancientvaluesvery wellcouldhaveinfluencedthewaythatwomenareoftenstereotyped today,furtherdemonstratingthatancientvaluesandstereotypescan impactmodernsociety.
Bibliography AncientEgyptOnline."AncientEgyptOnline-Colour:Yellow." AncientEgyptOnline.AccessedNovember10,2025. https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/colouryellow/#:~:text=In%20Ancien t%20Egypt%20yellow%20%28khenet,gold%20in%20two%20dimension al%20images.
Boddy-Evans,Alistair."ColorsofAncientEgypt."ThoughtCo.Last modifiedMay13,2025.AccessedDecember10,2025. https://www.thoughtco.com/colors-of-ancient-egypt43718#:~:text=Egyptian%20Blue%20dark%20%E2%80%93%20Ultram arine,the%20First%20Pharaoh%20of%20Egypt.
EgyptMueseum."GoldinAncientEgypt."EgyptMueseum.Accessed November11,2025.https://egypt-museum.com/gold-in-ancientegypt/.
HunterLab."TheColorOrange History,MeaningandFacts." HunterLab.LastmodifiedNovember28,2023.AccessedNovember 11,2025.https://www.hunterlab.com/blog/the-colororange/#:~:text=The%20orange%20color%20was%20used,Meaning%2 0of%20the%20Color%20Orange.
Pokarska,Anna."ColoursofAncientEgypt–Yellow."University CollegeLondon.LastmodifiedFebruary20,2019.Accessed November9,2025.https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/researchers-inmuseums/2019/02/20/colours-of-ancient-egyptyellow/#:~:text=Orpiment%20was%20a%20common%20yellow,warm %20orange%20shade%20of%20yellow.
Wikipedia."TombofNefertari."Wikipedia.LastmodifiedDecember 6,2025.AccessedNovember13,2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb of Nefertari.
WheretheRiverHoldstheSky AveryE.-M.,7th ABCs AnnabelleS.,8th Aisformymother’seyes amutedrust,aghostof amber.
BisforthedreamsIendeavor theexhaleofabreeze,whiledriftingin baltic.
Cisforapursequiteexotic atippedglassofwine,thatstainssilk crimson.
TownofBlue SkylarF.,7th Thereisatownonthecoast.Acutelittlevillage.Thewaves:adeep seabluethatglistensalldaylong.Salttintstheair,ticklingnoses.The villageischeery.Musicisplayedonthestreets,andnicejazzbluesplayin restaurants.Theairisfilledwiththearomaofdeliciouspizza.Thereare banners, そら banners abrilliantblue,ontheshops,lightingupthe townwithcolor.Thehousesareuniquelittlecottages.Plantsonallsides, gardenhosesspraying わすれなぐさ water,sharplycontrastingwiththe seasaltair.Thisisalie.
Thereisatownonthecoast.Alittlevillage,minuscule,really.The wavesaremuddyblue,andstormy,coldandfrostbitten.Salttintstheair, stingingnosesanddiggingintocuts.Thetownisfallingapart,miserable. Itisthekindofvillagepeoplepassthrough,areststop,notadestination. Amereconvenience.Thevillageisovercrowded.Stressful.Pushing throughpeopletogettostreetvendors.Everythingtasteslikesand.There aretorn あお bannersthatpeoplehittheirheadson,walkingthroughthe village.Thehousesaredilapidated,withovergrownvinesonthewalls. Thepaintischipping.Thisisalie.
Thereisatownonthecoast.Acutelittlevillage,tinyandnot withoutitsflaws.Thewavesarecoldandfrostbitten,numbingyourfeet oncoolwinterdays.Insummer,thewavesarelikeadream.Thedeepest blue, こん.Salttintstheair,ticklingnosesanddiggingintocutswitha sharpsting.Thetownisacheerything.Musicplaysonthestreets,and nicebluejazzinrestaurants.Itisthekindofvillagepeoplepassthrough,a reststop,notadestination.Aconveniencetoaidtouristsontheirjourney. Thevillageispackedwithpeople,stuffyandcrowded.Theairisfilled withthearomaofpizza.Everythinginthevillagehastheslighttasteof sandtoit,inescapable.Therearebrilliantbluetornbannersontheshops, lowenoughthateveryonehitstheirheadsonthemconstantly.Thehouses areuniquelittlecottages.Plantsonallsides,andovergrownvinestaking overthewalls.Thepaintischipping.Thisistheclosestlietothetruth. Thereisatownonthecoast.Thisisthetruth.
fearsandflaws TaliaR.R.,7th iseetheflashesof crimson iseethemeverywhere thelipsof girls differentshades samecolor irememberwhen weusedtowear soft light stickypinkmarshmallows onourlips thatarenowcherryred grownup anyways withoutitwe ’renothing iaskmyfriend whatcolorwouldlookbest? shesays somethingbright somethingcolorful somethingred
whataboutpink iwonder scoff youwon’tbeseenbyhimifyoudo studieshaveshown wearingredmakesyoumoreattractive theguardiansays itmustbetrue sowhocaresaboutpink orblue iftherainbowisdrainedandcolorless redisthefirstandonlychoice forgoodreason ithink roses lollipops cherries that iswhatwewanttobeseenas objects forpeople tomesswith youabsolutely cannot wear aweakcolorlikepink
youbecome submissive debilitative andthat'sneverokay becauseyouareastrong undentable woman madeoutoffire andrubies nooneisworthyofyourloveifyousplashredonyourlips
iwonderifthepressuretobeperfect あかべにりんごのにあかるい isasbrightasredapples thesweet べにかば applesthatarefedtous rottencores rottenwithexpectations corrupted emotionless bloodredcores that’swhatwearenow wepaintashieldofredpigmentonourlips hopingtoshieldtheworldof our fears and flaws.
BandsawBox StellaL.,8th
ThePhoenix LaraK.,6th Basedon“TheButterfly”byPavelFriedmann
Thelast,theverylast. Sorichly,deeply,intenselycrimson. Perhapsiffieryfeatherswouldwhistle againstmetalbars... Such,suchared Iscarriedlightly,withsilkybeatingwings,awayintopuffsofwool Ittookwing,I’msurebecauseitwishedto escapecascadingstars;watchEarth’sgreenlungsbreathetothefull.
For...whoknowshowlong,I’velivedinforests struckwithsnow-chokedpines, Hiddenfromworldinsidethiswhirlpoolofgreen,brown ButIhavefoundmyisolatedlifehere. Thebarksandsqueaksandchirpscalltome Andtheglassy,petal-litteredlake. OnlyIneversawanotherphoenix.
Thatphoenixwasthelastone. Phoenixesdon’tliveinhere, Inthestrangledforest.
UndertheSameBlackSky ColtonK.,7th
Thenightisasblackasgunpowder; smokeseepsintothetrenches. AsIobserve,mybootssink inthemud.
Voicespiercethroughthenight: “快点!” Allnight,wehadbeenwaiting inanticipation.
Abulletcracksthroughthesilence, nebulosityblackplodsinthesky. Iseethem shadowsmoving, shoutingalanguageIcannotcomprehend.
“⿊⾊!”avoicepanics, boomingthroughthedarknessofthenight. Idonotknowwhattheyfear, butIsensethatweshareitinthehollownessofwar.
Onthegroundoutsideofthetrench, Ismellthepungenceofwarmblood. Itrudgeforward,myheartthudding. Infrontofmeliesashadowontheground.
Heclutchesaletterfromhispocket, whispering,“墨⿊... ” IntheletterIseeapictureofhisfamily awifeandtwochildren. Hisbreathisvisibleinthecoldofthenight.
Ikneeldownbesidehim, unsureifheunderstandsEnglish, unsureif “海⿊. ” Inthemoment,welockeyes. Arewethesame?
Wefight. Weshout. Wekill. Webleed.
Yet,blackiswhatunifiesus. Blackisthebattlefield. Blackistheocean. Blackisthesky. Blackisthesameineverytongue.
MulticolorRaindrops CrystalL.,6th UndertheTree,NexttotheFlowers,and BesidetheGnome LunaG.,7th Intheregularworld,mybackyardisdull.It’splain,average,boring even.Butinmyworld,inmyworld,it’smagical.Inmyworld,noother backyardcancompare.Thereareentsandhuorns,sleepingfairies,magic gnomes,ancientruins,andanythingyoucanimagine.
Inmybackyard,there’sacolossal,toweringredwood.Itsbranches arelikelankyarms,itsbarklikeoldskin,itsleaveslikeancientdangling jewelsbarelyhangingon.Whileothertreeschangefromredtopurpleto orangetogreenduringtheseasons,mytreeneverchanges.It’salwaysthe samecolor: 深绿,deepwithatouchofolive.
Belowthetree,there’sabedofflowers.Duringtheday,theyseem ordinary.Littletulipsandrosesallhuddledtogetherunderneaththeshade ofthebigtree,perfectlyarrangedsothatnoonewillsuspectathing.Butif youopenthecurtainsandsteponyourtippytoes,thenwatchclosely fromthefoyerwindow,youcanseesomethingmagical.Ifyoufocuson thedeep,forestgreenstemsoftheflowers,youjustmightbeabletocatch aglimpseofalittlefairyclimbingupthem.
Then,ifyoulookevencloser,youcanseethefairiescarefullyfolding overeachpetal,eversoslowlyrevealingalittlebedwiththepillowsfluffed andperfectlymade.Then,thefairieshopintothebedandunfoldthe flowerstocreatealittlefort.Onceeachfairyenters,theflowerbeginsto glow.Andnotjustglow itbeginstosparkleandglitterandflashpretty colors.Inthemornings,thefairiesaregone.I’vetriedmanytimesby wakingupbeforedawntoopenthepetalsandfindafairy,buttheyare alwaysgonebeforethen.EithertheyaretooearlyorIamtoolate.
Belowthetree,andnexttotheflowers,therearetwolittlegnomes. Thefirstisshortandstubby.Ithasalongbluehatwithawildgrinanda redsmock.Inmyworld,wecallhimCogsworth.Thesecondgnomehasa smirkonhisface,afuzzyredtophat,andafirecrackerinhispocket.Wecall himFizzlebang.Fizzlebanghasalittlegnomedog.Ithasbrownfuranda raccoon-liketail.HisnameisRusty.
Belowthetree,nexttotheflowers,andbesidethegnomes,thereisa patchofgrasswithanoldfortressonit.Ontheleftsideofthepatch,it’s lightgreen.Itlooksdry,desolateandwithered,butmaybethat’sjust becauseit’snexttotherightsideofthepatch.Therightsideofthepatch, ohtherightside,therightsidehaslittledaisiesanddropletsandisthedeep colorof 松绿.There’sscatteredwoodchipsonbothsidesofthegrass,but they’rescatteredandill-favoredontheleftside.Butontherightside,they makeupalittlefortwithlittleflowersandlittlepeople.Mybrotherlikesto saythatameteorhitthedeadpartofthepatch,butIthinkit’sbecause Fizzlebangaccidentallylaunchedafirecrackerontoit.
Belowthetree,nexttotheflowers,besidethegnomes,andgawkingat theruins,there’sme.Iliveinbothworlds.Theybothsuckmeupintothem justlikethatandwon’tletmegountilsomeonefromtheotherworlddrags mebackout.
“Lunaaa!!!HelpmegetMochibackinhercrate,willyou?!”Iturn aroundsharply,seeingmymomchaseourminibichondogaroundthe backyard.Ilaughandtwirlbackaround,butnowthefortressisgone.Soare thegnomes.Andtheflowers.Andthelivingtree.Iambackinthereal worldnow,Ithink.Attheendoftheday,eachworldisspecial.Reality groundsyou,andimaginationletsyouroamfree.Youcan’tonlyhaveone; youneedabalanceofboth.
EndlessPancakes AnnabelleL.,8th TheRainbow MaddieB.,8th Red
Apopofcolor. Akiss.
Arose:prettyandsharp.
Orange
Anillustratedsun. Thetipsofaflame.
Anorange:sweetandtart.
Yellow Summerwildflowers. Goldenrays.
Abee:busyandstrong.
Green Leavesonatree. Newlifebudding.
Babylettuce:newandfresh.
Blue Rainfalling.
Adeepocean.
Ablueberry:tangyandsmall.
Purple Grapesonavine. Aplumtree.
Lavender:aromaticandpleasing.
Gray Overcastweather.
Afoggyday.
Ash:burntandblownaway.
WhatisRed? LoganD.,7th Whatisredtoablindperson,apersonwhocan’tseewhattheyfeel?Isit thewordlove,intensity,fire,isitthewayyoufeelwhenyouhugsomeone?No wordscanencapsulatesomethingtooprecioustobefullyunderstood.
Whatisred?
Whatisred?
IseeredwhenIthinkofthepagodas,IseeredwhenIthinkofblood,but tosomeonewhocan’tseered,theycanonlyfeelit theyonlyfeelitwhenthey lovesomeonemorethanthemselves,whentheyburnontheirheartmorethan theirskin,whentheyfight notonlywithsomeonetheyknow,butsomeone theyknowmorethananyone,themselves,whentheyseewhattheycanonly feel.Istheonlywaytoexplainsomethingthatnowordscancomprehendby love?
Lovethatnoonecancontrol,lovethattakesoverthebodylikeaspirit possessed,lovethatmakesallelseseemworthless?Redisnotjustacolor;itisa sensationthatappearswhenlovetranscendsallboundaries,throughthe physicalintotheinnermostbeing.
Butisthatall?Isredjustapartoflove?Anysoulthatfeelsaconnection mightfeeladeepsenseofred,butthereisonlyonethatbleedsmuchdeeper. Pain.Somebodymightseescarlet,ormaroondifferently,butthereisno differenceinpain painthatrushesthroughamind overwhelmsthesoul, chokesthebreath.Paincuts,yetconnectslikenoother,thosewhoareblind withthosewhocansee.
Thepainfeltontheskinandthemindmightforceredin,butpaininthe heartfloodsred.Redislove,redispain,rediswhatyoufeel,notonlywhatyou see.Whatisredtoablindperson,someonewhocanseemorethananyone? Whatisred?
WhatisRed?
OcéanoVerde Anonymous,7th Verde,it'scalledinSpanish,awordassharpasthebowofaship,piercing throughthedepths.Aneleganceandprecisionsewnintotheverysyllables rollingoffyourtongue.
Thereissomethingnicetothesoft,roundsoundofGreen,acolorthatis nottryingtocontrol,norreshapenature,butsimplytoembraceit,gliding alongthesurface.
Lookingover,youcanseethesharpedgesofthesunthroughthewave, roundedinthewater,abalanceofsharpandsoft,VerdeandGreen, diligenceandpleasure,thebestofbothworlds.
ButsometimesGreenorVerdeisn’tenough;itcan’tfullydescribethe feelingandsettingofnature.Forexample,aquamarine,oraguamarinain Spanish.Notquiteblue,butjusttherightbalance.Symbolizingdepthand thebeautyoftheunknowndeep.
Andwithdarkanddeep,therealwayscomeslightandshallow,alwaysa contrast.Liketheseaweedinareef,verdefrondosa,leafygreen.Ajoyous, simple-mindedcolor,innocentlylookingupthroughthewater,distorted inshape,butneverchangedinhue.
Allofthesehues,balances,andvaluescometogethertomaketheGreen Ocean,elOcéanoVerde,thewavesabove,theunknowndepths,andthe colorfulseaweedbelow.
Reflections SierraA.,7th Chartreuse OtisV.,5th UsesofBlue HelenaG.,7th Blue
Suchaversatile, Usefulcolor.
Somanyshades,types,purposes.
Aqua
Seeninthetropicalwater. Midnight
Seeninthenight. AzulCielo
Seeninthebrightestsky. AzulMarino
Seeninthedepthsoftheocean. Meaning Somanythings. Representing Everything. Symbolizing Innumerableobjects. Calm,Sad,Energy Oceans,Skies, Tears,peace. Youcanseeitanywhere. Youcanhavemany Different Interpretations.
Thesky,theocean, Theclouds,thenight, Whereveryouare,azulwillbethere Whereveryouare,bluecanbeseen Blue Oftencalled Therarestcolorinnature, Canstillbeseenanywhere. Foundwhenneeded. Blue Hardtofind Butalwaysthere Ready Tobefound, Ready Foranything.
TheEarthWaitsforNoOne AveryC.,7th theearthturns,itdoesn'tstop theearthwaitsfornoone peoplechange,theydon’tstop theydon’twaitforanyone theskybreathesinblue first ⻘⾦⽯⾊, abold,glowingkindof 蓝⾊, thecolorofbeginnings, ofsecretssharedunderstreetlights, oflaughterthatspilledtooeasily. wewerethatcoloronce— unbreakable,shimmering, infiniteastheearlyeveningsky. yettheearthwaitsfornoone. thencomes 蓝灰⾊ asighbetweendayandnight, thebruiseofsomethingoncewhole. itseepsbetweenourwords, softasthesilenceafterIsayyourname andyoudon’tanswer. ourfriendshipfadeslikewatercolorintherain edgesblurring, meaningswashingaway. theearthwaitsfornoone. andfinally, 午夜蓝 adarknesssodeepitalmosthums.
it’sthecolorofwhatwe’vebecome: twostars,stillshining, butindifferentcornersofthesky. isearchforyourlight, butthenightisthickwithdistance, andthewindtasteslikegoodbye. metaphorshangintheairlikeclouds icalltheskyamirror, butitonlyshowswhat’sgone. icallyoumyfriend, butthewordfeelscracked, likeglassreflectingsomethingthatusedtobewhole. theearthwaitsfornoone. thelapislazuliskywasourspark, thebluegrayourunraveling, andthemidnightblue oursilencemadeeternal. still,theworldspins, itsrhythmindifferenttotheachebetweenus. theearthwaitsfornoone. andstill, itturns slowly,endlessly, inshadesofblue.
Flight SimonG.,5th Blobs BenF.,7th colorofconfusion Anonymous,7th
everythingseemsblue. notoneblue allofthem, allatonce. shadesofperplexionanduncertainty jumbleddisorderlychaos. itstartswiththeblueflameIcarry, asharp,confusing,cobaltglare. undecidedbetweenthecalmingbluepresence andtheburningfurybeneath asapphirestab brilliantorbroken Isitonafence betweentheskyandtheocean thenightandtheday peacefulandlivid vastazurelandscapes of oceanblue wavesofnervousnesscrashinmyscatteredmind doIswimorsteer theoceanlooksendless,terrifyinglycalm.
Iwaitforconfidencetoarise, forthehazeofuneasetosettle, butitnevercomes.
itfadesintoanindigoache,dispersedwithcloudsofdoubt theskyisunforgiving, thecolorofalake, quiet,butreflective itmirrorsbackafaceIdon’trecognize theairaroundmeshimmerswithunansweredquestions aheatwithnosource.
theblueflameIcarry thecolorofmaybe aclutterofdisarrayandshambles keepingmewarmorburningme thecolorofbeing completelylost inmyowntangledmaze ofdoubt.
FruitGathering JocelynC.&CarrieC.,6th Gatheredhereatlast: Brightcolors,juicyandsweet
MotherNature’streat!
AGift AlexY.,7th It’seasytoseewhy, Whenweseecolor, Wetakeitforgranted. Allthecolorsblend, Becomingmundane, Sowhyshouldwecare?
Butcolorismorethanasense, Morethananappendageofsight, Itisagift.
Itisthegiftofwavesofpurple Andredandorange Duringsunrise, Thegiftoftrees Paintingtheworldorange
Comefall, Thegiftofcrystal Bluewaterslapping Againstagoldenshore.
Andintheend, Colorisbeautiful, Coloriswonderful, Andcolorisagift.
Churlishdizz
BloodyMary EverestB.,7th Iskippedalongthesidewalk,carefreeandjoyful.Thedaywasa perfectpictureofheaven.Theairwasfilledwiththedelightfulscentof fragrantflowers.Talltreeslinedthesidewalk,resemblingtowering buildings.Myhandsgrazedsoftflowersandplantsthatdancedinthe wind.Thenmyhandgrazedaplant,notsoftbutstickyenoughsowhenI skippedpast,itcutmyfinger.Bloodranoutofthegiantwound.The worldseemedtofreezeasIlookeddown.ThebloodwasacolorIcould onlydescribeaslightred,ashadeofredthatdescribesfreshblood.Itfelt likeafireburninginmyhand.Myfatherlookedover,hiseyeslandingon thegapingholewherebloodpouredout.Hiseyeswentlikesaucers.
ThenIheardmyscream.Inmywhole8-year-oldlife,thiswasthe mostbloodIhadeverseen.Mydadsnatchedmeup,andwesprintedto myhouse.Bynowtherewasoldblood,thecolorslightlychangingtorojo vino.Panicsetin;Ihadneverseenthismuchbloodinmylife.Tomeit lookedlikeariverofblood.Myhandwascoveredinvariousshadesofred, fromdarkredtoamuchlighterrojooscuro.Butstillthehandwasrojo,all rojo.Myeyesbouncedfromhousetohouse,lookingformyown.ThenI sawitandranupthethreestepsandflungopenthebrowndoor.Itfelt likeaneternity,butitwasjustminutes.Thedooropened,andwewereat myhouse,whereallthemedicinewas.Myhandwasinicycoolwater,and Iwatchedthebloodwashawaytorevealatinycut.
Color RaniaB.,5th InLivingColor NaomiL.,5th Redis… Anapple,sittingaloneontheflooroftheforest. Arose,bloomingtoshowitsbeautytoallwildlifeandpeople. Atomato,juicyandsweet,withthesmallesthintofsour.
Acardinal,flyingthroughtheforest,searchingforseedsandberries. Afire,burningtheforest,butgivinggrowthtonewseedlings.
Orangeis… Aclownfish,swimmingintheocean.
Apumpkin,growingonavinetobecomegrandinthefall. Abeautifulmonarchbutterfly,itswingssofragilethattheycouldbreakif youtouchedthem.
Acalcitecrystal,energizingpeople.
Anautumnleaf,fallingfromatree.
Yellowis… Thesun,spreadinglightforalllivingthings.
Anacaciablossom,pollinatedbyabee.
Ajuicycorncob,waitingtobepicked.
Acanary,brightinatree,justlikethesunshine.
AtropicalpineappleinHawaii,sweetandtart.
Greenis… Afrogjumpingonlilypads.
Emeraldgrass,glisteninginthesun.
Abrightgreenapple,tartanddifferentfromtherest. Anevergreentree,providingshelterforwildlife.
Aneoncaterpillar,nottryingtopoisonyou,butitmight…
Blueis...
Thebig,grandocean,fulloflife.
Arobin’segg,asblueasthesky.
Amorphobutterfly,oneofthebrightestbluesintheworld.
Asapphiregemstone,clearandsmooth.
Thesky,filledwithstars,planets,andmanyotherastonishments.
Purpleis…
Asweet,juicyplum,pickedrightoffthetree.
Astalkoflavenderwithitssweet,strongscent.
Asugarygrape,pluckedfromthevine.
Somepurplebasil,fullofrichflavor.
Apurpleonion,spicingupastewinwintertime.
Pinkis…
Abrightflamingo,bathingincoolwater.
Abittergrapefruit,juicyandsodelicious. Asmallbabypiglet,learninghowtogrow.
Astunningpinksunset,short-livedbutalwaysbeautiful.
Acherryblossom,delicateandcharminginitsfleetingbloom.
Whiteis…
Aheadofcauliflower,crispbutwaxy.
AyoungArcticfoxkit,learninghowtohuntforfood.
Abowloflight,fluffyrice.
AcropofDutchwhiteclover,carpetingabig,grassylawn.
Apuffofcotton,waitingtobeharvested.
Greyis…
Anelephantbathingincoolwater. Afamilyofmicelivingunderanoldhouse. Darkstormcloudsthreateningtoburst. Ayoungkoalasnugglinginhermother’sarms. Claybeingsculptedintoavase,latertobefilledwithflowers.
Blackis…
Achunkofcoalhiddenintheearth’srockycrust. Aravenfeedingitsyoung. Apantherstalkingitspreyinthejungle. Obsidianshininginthesunlight. Shadowsdancinginthemoonlight.
Brownis…
Cinnamonbark,curlingoffofatalltree. Anowlhootinginthenightunderthewondrousstars. Apileoffallenleavesontheearthyground. Abowlofmixednutsonakitchencounter. Alonelypineconerollingontheforestfloor.
Thisworldisfullofcolorful,wonderfulthings. Arainbowofcolorful,wonderfulthings.
cherry-redbestfriendhalfadecadeaway
Anonymous,8th
wewentcherrypicking fiveyearsbeforethisone butitfeelslikejust lastsummer, scarletjuicestainingthe underbelliesofourfingernails likepromises,wekeep toourselves somethingabouthowprayer cannotbringbackthepestilence ofyourmemory.thisloveisatthealtar; inmyvisionyouareholyinthewaythat childrenare.ifindyou
inbutterflies&scraped knees.youarethe woundthatdoesnotwanttoclose.youwere everything;youstillare truthisithink thegrowingaparthurtsmoreasithappens &idon’tnoticeuntil mamabringshome aplasticbagofscarletfruitlikesheusedto wheniwaslittle,&ieatthemwith tearsrollingdownmycheeks.
OnlyaDream JosalieK.,8th TheColorOf MaddyH.,7th White & ⽩
Thecolorof
Weddingdresses
Rosepetals
Cloudsinthebluesky
Thecolorof Brightwhite
Isthecolorofpaper
Butmaybeifitweredarker
Itshinestoobrightanddancestoomuch
Asifitwereaballerinaonastage
Withadress
Thesmelloffreshoutofthebox
White
胡粉
Ontheotherhand
Isquietandtimid
It’sapatch
Whereyoucan’ttellifit’sthere
Likeacoldwindbytheseathatblowspastyourskin
Invisiblebutverythere
⽩
Lucentwhite
Itmaybetooblueforsome
Tooredforothers
Itwouldneverfitin
Pullitthiswayandthat Upanddown
Allyouhearisthesoundof Whichway
White
⽩練
Isthecreamcolorthatmimicslightwood
Maybethewoodmimicsit
It’sallaboutadapting
Throughagesanderasoftime
Throughdinnersofflavor
Whenit’sthoughtfulandwhenit’scareless
⽩
White
Itmeantbringingpurity
Itmeanttheceremoniesofmarriage
Itmeantsuperiority
Itstillhasthelightandthedark
Wepushthroughthenegativity
Becauseitbroughtredstains
Itis
Thelight
Itis
Thedark
⽩
Itmeantinnocence
Itmeantcleanliness
Itmeantblankness
Itstillmeanspainandbeauty
Itis
Pain
Itis
Beauty
Itisthecolorof
It Is The Color
Of
ColorinBloom LanaG.,7th ArtificialBlending(ofColors) JulianD.,7th Boing RohanK.,6th Seasons SofiaG.-O.,8th summer(def.)
i.youstareintotheraysofambersunshineeventhoughyouknowthey’ll blindyou.you’llnevertellanyonethatinthemyouseeyuzuandsome comforting,fakefuturethatyoucan’thelpbutbelievefortheday.
ii.makingyourwaytothecobaltshorelineyou’velearnedtocallhome. theliquidhourglassthatshatteredlastsummer thesamedayyoulearned whatheartbreakmeant.youlickchalkysaltwaterstainsfromyourbroken skinandtheytastelikestrawberriesandtherubymistakesyoumadein summerspast.
fall(def.)
i.blanketsandmugsofsepia-coloredhotcocoaafterrunninghomeinthe rain.petrichorlingeringsomewherebetweenthecharcoalasphaltandthe sweetsangriaofyourrainboots.pretendingthatyourtearsarejusttherain asyoutrytooutruntime.
ii.youdancewiththewindandleaves,tryingtoholdontothelastbitsof warmthastheyslowlyslipawayfromyou.youwatchastheamber-coated leavescrinkleandcrease.youwatchthemrunawayandtakethelast tendrilsoftheyearwiththem.
winter(def.)
i.asnacreoussnowfallcoatseverythinginaglisteninghaze,thelinesof whoyouthoughtyouwerebegintoblur.youletthem youdon’tknow ifyoustillwanttobethatperson;youhavebeenwaitingyourwholelife foranewbeginningthatsmellsascrisplyasthefirstsnowflakesonyour nose.
ii.themountainsinthedistanceturnaviridianmasterpiece.youstartto feelthewindagainstyourskinandyoufeelinexplicablyluckytobe breathing.youfeelalive.
iii.starryskiesloomingaboveyouonthoselongnightsyou’ddreamlike you’dneverwakeup.
spring(def.)
i.runningthroughtheuntamableemeraldhills.youmayalwaysbeafraid butatleastyouknownowthatyouarealive.
ii.listeningtopalegreenbirdsongasyoulayinyourbed.laughinguntil youcan’tbreathe.thepartofyouthatwantstoheal.
Colorless SerenaL.,8th Iwasfifteenwhenmyworldbegantodescendintoshadesofgray. ThedoctorcalleditRetinitisPigmentosa,orR.P.Slowly,myeyeswould losetheabilitytoseecolor.Thenitwouldleadtoperipheralvisionloss. Thennighttimevisionloss.Possiblyblindness.
Why?Evennow,abouttogotocollege,Iwonder.Whyme?Why didIhavetolosethisbeautifulworld?
Itstartedasjustatingeofgrayattheedgeofmyvision.Ididn’t reallythinkitwasthatimportant,afterall.Maybemyeyeswerejustalittle tiredordry.Iignoredit.Itcontinuedlikethisforthreemonths,withthe grayareabecominglargerandlarger,beforeIdecidedtoaskmyparents. Wealldecideditwasprobablyjuststress,butwhatwastheharminhaving itcheckedout?Whocouldhaveknownthatthediagnosiswouldrockour entireworld?
I’msorry,theoptometristsaid.There’snowaytostopit.Theonly thingyoucandonowisprepareyourself.
Istillvividlyrememberthatmoment.ThemomentwhenIrealized thateventuallyeverythingwouldgodark.Thetearsinmymother’seyes, theendlesssorrowinmyfather’s,thedeeppityinthedoctor’s.
Afterwards,itwasjustablur.Iwassweptawayintoorientationaltraining withawalkingcane,runthroughteststoseehowmuchmyvisionhad degraded,prescribeddifferentmedicationstoslowtheprogression, assignedatutorforlearningbrailleforwhenIwouldeventuallybecome blind,alltoprepare.Alltoprepare.
Lifecarrieson;timestopsfornoone.Ihadtolivewithit,goingto schoolwithouttellinganyoneandactinglikeeverythingwascompletely
normal,andIwasn’tgoingtolosehalfmyvisioninacoupleofyears.My teacherswereaware,constantlycastingmelooksofpity,whispering amongstthemselvesaboutthatpoorgirl.Ihatedit.Hateddependingon people,hatedthepityinglooks,hatedeverythinginthiswholegoddamned worldthathadtakenmycolorfrommeandwouldtakemysightfromme. Ialreadycouldn’tseeblueandyellow,redandgreen.Itbecameharderand hardernottobumpintothingsontheside.
There’sawholebucketlistImadeforthingsIhadtodobeforeI becamecompletelyblind.Seethesunriseovertheriver.Sunset.Seethe auroraborealis.Seetheemperorpenguinsupclose.See,see,see.
Iknewmostofitwouldn’tbefulfilled.Ialsoknewthatmyparents wouldtrytheirbesttofulfillthese.Markingtimebyanniversariessince diagnosis,whichmyparentsdidn’tapproveof,wasmywayofcoping. Oneyearsincediagnosis.Oneandahalf.Two.HowmuchtimeuntilIgo blind?
Everythingisgraynow.Thesky,theflowers,mymood.Manyyears havepassed,withthebeautybeingtakenawayfromme.NowIam helpless.Itwasjustlikeonedaytheworlddecidedtogiveuponme.
Bluey JosalieK.,8th HowPinkandBlueBecameGenderedColors GraceJ.,7th Whatistheculturalassociationwithpinkandblueinthemodern era?
Oneofthelargestculturalassociationsinthemoderneraisthe connectionofpinkwithfemininityandbluewithmasculinity.Gendered colorsemergedinthemid-19thcentury,butittooksometimeforthemto gainconfirmationandinfluence.Atthebeginningofthetwentieth century,pinkandblueweren’tcategorizedbygender;theyweresimply colorsbabiesdressedin.However,inthe1920s,bluewasoftenassociated withgirls,whilepinkwasfrequentlytiedtoboys.Thisassociationgained popularityuntilthe1940s,butitlackedasubstantialinfluenceorasolid foundation.AfterWorldWarII,theculturalconnectionwithcolorswas decided,andpinkbecameassociatedwithgirls,whilebluewasassociated withboys.Theconnectionofpinkandbluewithgenderbecameaglobal waytodifferentiateandlabelboysandgirls.Companieslearnedthey couldincreaseprofitbyexploitingthegrowingculturalconnections betweengenderandcolor.Therefore,theybeganmarketingitemswith thenewfoundgenderedcolors,whichincreasedtheinfluenceofthe association.Theassociationfosteredthesocialnormthatthereareonly twogenders.Furthermore,itreinforcestheopinionthatboysandgirls havetoactdifferentlyandlikecertainthingsthatareeitherfeminineor masculine.Despiteaquickdeclineofthisassociationinthe1970s,pink andbluehaveremainedstrongsymbolsofidentityandgenderinequality. Tofullyunderstandthehistoryofthisglobalassociation,twokey questionsarise.First,tounderstandthemeaningbehindtheassociation,it isimportanttodiscoverwhenandhowbluebecameadominantsymbol
ofmasculinityinWesternculture.Furthermore,itisessentialtoconsider howthissocialnormspread.Becauseoftherolecapitalismplayedin creatingandgrowingthissymbol,itisimportanttoconsiderhow capitalismandpatriarchalvaluesareintertwined.Thisraisesakey question:whatdoWesterngendercolornormsrevealabouthow capitalismshapesculturalidentityandpatriarchy?
Whenandhowdidbluebecomeadominantsymbolofmasculinity inWesternculture,andhowwasthissocialnormspread?
Attheturnofthe20thcentury,babieswereoftendressedinwhite. Pinkandbluewerealsopopularcolorsforbabiestowear.Pinkandblue weren’tspecificallycategorizedbygender;theywerejustcolorsconnected tobabies.By1927,variedopinionshademergedregardingwhichbabies shouldwearblueversuspink.Somepeoplesaidthatbluewasflatteringfor blondesandblue-eyedbabies,whilepinkwasflatteringforbrunettesand brown-eyedbabies.Othersarguedthatpinkshouldbeassociatedwith boys,whileblueshouldbetiedtogirls.Atthetime,itwasacommon socialnormthatboyswereconsideredstrong,whilegirlsweredelicate. Moreover,bluewasperceivedasadaintycolor.Hence,theperceived daintinessofbluebecameconnectedtothestereotypicaldelicatenessof girls.Incontrast,atthetime,redwasknownasasignofstrengthand aggressiveness.Sincepinkwasatoned-downversionofred,itwasalso associatedwithpassionandaggression.Sinceboyswereperceivedas strongerthangirls,societycategorizedpinkwithboys.
Thisassociationfortifiedthesexistbeliefthatboysarestrongerthan girls.Eventhen,gender–colorassociationswererootedincapitalismand genderinequality.However,therewasstillnoclearconsensusabout whichgendercorrespondedtopinkandblueuntilafterWWII.
Fortwentyyearspost-WWII,gender-specificclothingbecamea
globaltrendinWesternnations.Girlsbeganconsistentlywearingdresses, andbabieswerealmostalwaysdressedinblueorpinktocorrelatewith theirgender.Societyusedtohaveundefinedandunpopularassociations withgenderandcolor,butthatchangedafterWWII.Pinkwasnowfor girls,andbluewasforboys.Westernsocietyhadfinallydeterminedwhich colorswereassociatedwithspecificgenders.Hence,capitalismbeganto exploitthenewfoundculturalconnections.Companiesrealizedthey couldassociatecolorswithgenderstoincreasetheirprofits.Thetrendof dressingbabiesinaccordancewiththeirgenderbecamestrongerthanever, duetotheintensemarketingthatcorrelatedwiththepinkorblueand gender.
Additionally,manycelebritieshelpedstrengthentheassociation withpinkandgirls,lesseningthetiewithbluetogirls.Forinstance,First LadyMamieEisenhowerwasoftenseenwearingpinkballgownsand fillingthewhitehousewithpinkdecor.Soon,allofAmericaadmireda renownedhousewifewhobecameconnectedtopink.Consequently,pink begantobetiedwiththestereotypesofbeingahousewife.Thus,pinkwas viewedasacolorofweakness,fragility,andhelplessness.Theconnection hadbecomealarge-scaleculturalassociation.
Thepinkandbluerelationtogenderbecameincreasinglypowerful infashion.Itescalatedtothepointthatpeoplewereworriedotherswould judgethemfordressingtheirchildinadifferentcolorthantheonethat correspondedwiththebaby’sgender.
Then,inthelate1960s,thewomen’sliberationmovementbeganto gainpopularity.Thewomen’sliberationmovementwasasocial movementthataimedforeconomicandsocialequalityforwomen.Due totheincreaseinfeministperspectives,thegenderedclothingstylebecame muchlesspopular.Inthe1970s,peoplebegantochallengethetraditional
gendernormsthathadperpetuatedgenderinequality.However,genderneutralchildren’sclothesonlyremainedpopularuntilroughly1985.At thattime,therewasarapidtransitionbacktogenderedclothing,dueto thecreationandpopularizationofprenataltesting.Allofasudden, expectantparentswouldlearnthesexoftheirunbornbabyandshopfor thecorrespondinggenderedclothing.Theincreaseincolor–gender marketingtowardstheendofthe20thcenturyrepopularizedtheblueand pinkassociations.
WhatdoestheglobalspreadofWesterngendercolornormsreveal abouthowcapitalismshapesculturalidentityandpatriarchy?
Patriarchyandcapitalismaredeeplyintertwined,asthepatriarchal genderrolesmakecapitalismmoreprofitable.Ontheotherhand, capitalismexploitsthesestereotypicalvaluesandpopularizesthemfurther. AfterWorldWarII,babieswereoftenassignedeitherblueorpink,based ontheirassignedsexatbirth.BecauseWesternsocietyhadfinally establishedgenderedcolors,companiesbegantousethetiesbetween colorsandgendertotheiradvantage.
Companiesrealizedthatiftheymarketedkids’productsbygender, theycoulddoubletheirprofits.Inturn,allgirls’clothes,toys,and furniturewerepinkwhileallboys’belongingswereblue.ASmithsonian Magazinearticleaboutthehistoryofgenderedcolorsexplainshow capitalismmarketsgenderedproductswiththeassociatedcolorsto increaseitsprofits:“Affluentparentscouldconceivablydecorateforbaby numberone,agirl,andstartoverwhenthenextchildwasaboy.”This quoteexplainshowcapitalismledtothedevelopmentofindividualized clothinganddecorationsbasedongender.Consequently,familiesbegan torepurchasechildren’sgoodsbecauseboys’belongingswerecompletely differentthangirls’.Bytargetingconsumeristculture,companieswere
abletodoubletheirearningsfromchildren'sgoods,asfamilieshadto repurchaseitemsthattheyhadpreviouslyonlyboughtonce.Thiswasdue tothenewculturalnorms.Companiesselfishlyspreadandexploitedthe pinkandblueassociationthroughmarketingtoexpandprofit,showing theconnectionofpatriarchyandcapitalism.
Amoderninstanceofthecapitalistexploitationofgenderedcolors isthepinktax.Thepinktaxreferstohowcompaniesmakeproducts targetedtowardswomenmoreexpensivethanidenticalproducts marketedformen.Thehigherpricesareonlybecausetheproductsare “morefeminine.”TheNationalLibraryofMedicine(NIH)statesthat“in a2021studyof176razors(48.86%women-marketed),women’sversus men ’s4-bladerazorsaveraged$3.02/razorversus$1.94/razor.”Razor companiesclaimthepricechangeisduetothecostofaddingcolorsand femininedesigns.However,thishasbeendisproven;thechangein aestheticsdoesnotjustifythesignificantpricechange.
Furthermore,womendon’taskforpinkpackaging,buttheuseof pinktodistinguishwomen’sproductsiscreatedasanexcusetoraisethe pricesofwomen’spersonalproducts.Thistaxdisproportionatelyand unfairlyaffectswomen.Thepinktaxshowshowpatriarchyandcapitalism gohandinhand.Companiesmarketingwomen’sproductswithpink furtherreinforcethepatriarchalassociationwithcolors.Moreover,the preexistinggendernormsinWesternculturemakeitmucheasierfor companiestoexploitsexistvalues.
Throughouthistory,patriarchalinsecuritiesandvalueshavebeen exploitedtoincreaseconsumption.Currently,pinkandbluearestill associatedwithgenderasacapitaliststrategytoincreaseandexploit commercialconsumption.Capitalismhaspivotedwhatwasonceamere fashiontrendintoaglobalculturalassociationthathasamajorimpacton genderinequality.
Underneaththefactthatchildrenaretiedtoacolortheymaynot like,thisculturalnormperpetuatesgenderrolesandcreatesgender division.Unbornbabiesarecategorizedwithlabelsandcolorsthat confinetheiridentityandholdthembackfromexpressionofidentity. Whilesomeindividualsembracethispatriarchalassociation,many feministsfeelliketheyneedtodespisepinkbecauseofthelabelsitputson people.Childrenandadultsshouldbeabletolikecolorsandhaveinterests whetherornottheyconformtosocialnorms.Althoughtimesare changingandpinkisoftenusedasasignofstrength,thecolorisstill rootedinsexismandcapitalism,andthehistoricalassociationsarestill dramaticallypresent.Forsocietytofullyeliminategenderinequality,we mustchangehowitviewscoloraseithertoomasculineortoofeminine. Onewaytomakeprogressisbychangingtheassociationbetweencolors andgenders.Inrecentyears,gender-neutralclothinghasbeen repopularizedduetothechangeingendergeneralizations.However,there ismuchprogresstomaketochangethepatriarchalvaluethatblueisfor boysandpinkisforgirls.
Bibliography Brooks,David."PinkandBlue."TheNewYorkTimes,April22,2011. AccessedDecember16,2025.
https://archive.nytimes.com/brooks.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/22/pink -and-blue/.
Chang,MichelleJ.,andShariR.Lipner."Gender-basedStereotypingand CostDiscrepanciesforRazors."NationalLibraryofMedicine.Last modifiedFebruary5,2021.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8484976/#:~:text=A%20stud y%20found%20that%20women%27s%20razors%20are,razors:%20*%20A mazon%20*%20Walmart%20*%20Target.
TheHeadlight(IdaB.WellsHighSchool)."Pink:HowCapitalism& SexismShapeCulture."March7,2023.AccessedDecember15,2025. https://ibwheadlight.com/2176/patton-pages/pink-how-capitalismsexism-shape-culture/.
Maglaty,Jeanne."UnravelingtheColorfulHistoryofWhyGirlsWear PinkandBoysWearBlue."EditedbyMeilanSolly.Smithsonian Magazine.SmithsonianInstitution.LastmodifiedApril23,2025. AccessedDecember15,2025.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/unraveling-the-colorfulhistory-of-why-girls-wear-pink-and-boys-wear-blue1370097/#:~:text=Based%20in%20large%20part%20on,indicators%20of% 20widespread%20cultural%20trends.
"ThePinkTax:TheCostofBeingaWoman."TheNationalOrganization ofWomen.LastmodifiedAugust8,2024.AccessedDecember16,2025. https://now.org/blog/the-pink-tax-the-cost-of-being-a-woman/.
Sen,Sanchari,MBA."PatriarchyandCapitalism:AProfitable Partnership."Medium.LastmodifiedAugust18,2025.Accessed December15,2025.https://medium.com/coping-withcapitalism/patriarchy-and-capitalism-a-profitable-partnership3a38dada0661.
"WhatIsThePinkTaxandWhyDoesitMatter."J.P.MorganWealth Management.LastmodifiedSeptember8,2025.AccessedDecember16, 2025.https://www.chase.com/personal/investments/learning-andinsights/article/the-problematic-pinktax#:~:text=However%2C%20more%20recent%20research%20suggests,sal es%20tax%20in%2012%20states.
WikimediaFoundation."GenderedAssociationsofPinkandBlue." Wikipedia.LastmodifiedNovember18,2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendered associations of pink and blu e#:~:text=The%20colors%20pink%20and%20blue,boys%20and%20blue% 20for%20girls.
Zalis,Shelly."BustingGenderStereotypes:ThePinkVersusBlue Phenomenon."Forbes.LastmodifiedSeptember5,2019.Accessed December15,2025.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/shelleyzalis/2019/09/05/busting-genderstereotypes-the-pink-versus-blue-phenomenon/.
Red AudreyS.,7th 红⾊ isthewhisperoffire, alanterninthesky, lightwhenthereisnonelefttospare, hopeinheavyeyes.
红⾊ isthestampofluck, dragonscutuplikepaperwings, stillbeautiful,stillloyal,stillthere.
⾎红 isthescarletflag, asymbolofblood fromtheworkerswhofoughtforchange, forcontrol, forpower.
Redistheangerinsideyou, amoltenriverofthoughts, boiling hot, readytoburst, pullingyouintoanalternateworld. Intoaplacewheretherearenoconsequences untilyousuddenlyjoltbackfullofregrets.
Itisthecrimsonlightacrossthesky asthesuntricklesdownthehorizon.
Isthepulseinyourwrist pullingyouawayfromreality.
Aballoon floatingup upintothesky afinalsignofchildhoodgone. Redisthelastember, glowingquietly beforethedarkbeginsagain.
ThePigeon ClaraS.S.,7th TheFightAgainstStereotypes SamitK.&NirvaanG.,6th Whenourparentsandgrandparentscame, Theywereignoredandshooedaway
Theystartedwithnothing
Butcreatedsomething
Theyprovedtheyweren’tjuststrays
Ittookbravesouls
Ittookhardwork
Ittookalifetime
Andwewon’tthrowallthataway
Wefight Wetry
Andwewon’tstopforanypain
Somepeoplethinkjustbecausewearethesamecolor,wearethesame. Theythinksortingpeoplebyracesisagame “Dothead,ChingChong,youmustbegoodatpingpong!” Tomost,that’sacompliment,right? No,that’safoolishstereotype.
SAMIT’SSTORY: Onceonanordinaryday
Inarestaurant,withnothingbadtosay
Ifeltapricklingfeeling
Thatleftmymindreeling
Therewerethesekidswithmockingeyes, munchingontheirgoldenfries, theypullouttheirphones, lookingatuslikescavengingcrows. Tappingtheirphone,thatsongplays: Itshouldbecalled“MundianToBachKe.” Buttomost,theyjustcallit“IndianSong.”
Therearesomanyofthose,you’rejustwrong! Iglanceatmymom,whodoesn’tseemtomind. Well,Ithink,theyaren’tverykind. Mymomseemstohearthat,andshedoesn’tfearthat Unthoughtfullaughingthat’ssoutterlybaffling. Timeseemedtostopasshestoodup,stoodtall Replyingtotheimminentupstandingcall “Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?You’rejustabsurd! Laughinglikebickering,blabberingbirds, Doyouthinkyou’refunny?
Don’truinthisdaythat’shappyandsunny!” Wewalkoutside
Andforawhileafterthat, I’mafraidthathumankind
Thinksthatjustbecauseofhowwelook,wearerats. Mom,Ithoughtagain,thatwassomethingyoudidn’thavetodo… Butyouheardmysilentsadness,sothankyou.
NIRVAAN’SSTORY: Intheparty
Thepizza,theburgers,thesandwiches,thetacosandburritos InowrealizeI’msohungry
Myeyesarepulsing,sparklingwithjoy,thetemptationissobright,likean angeliclight
Wait,thisstuffisvegetarian,right?
Iaskaroundandfelthurtthattheydidn’tputmorethoughtintoplanning thefood.
Therearemanyhurtfulresponses
Somedon’tknowwhatitmeans,doesvegetarianmeanyoucaneatmeat? Somesay,vegetarianmeansyoucanhavefish,haveyoueverseen?! Someevendon’tcare,theyjustlookaway,pretendingI’mnotthere.
Buttheworstofthem,say,it’sfine,youcan’tdistinguish.
Betweenthebeefandtheleafpatties
ButIcan,it’ssoapparent,
Theparentsoftheparties,theylookliketheycare
Thedeepburningsensationlookintheireyes,it’sfake,theemptystare
Thenithitsme
Peoplejustwanttofocusontheirlife
Notmine
Notmyproblems
Notmyrestrictions
It’slikeI’mavariableinCSclass,Icanbechanged,playedaroundwith ItmakesmefeellikeI’mnotathing,justsomesortofmyth
Theythinktheyarebeinggoodfriendsbymakingthosejokes
Butinreality,itmakesmefeellikeI’mthejoke
Theonenobodycaresabout,theonethatisn’tplannedfor,accountedfor.
Soplease,whenyousaysomething, Makesureit’snotstereotypical
We’reallequal,don’tbehypocritical
Don’tlistentothesehaters, Being A A P I Isn’tbad
Ifpeoplelaugh
Remember,youdon’talwayshavetoact
Butifsomeone’sintrouble
Betheirdouble
Beattheirside
Dowhat’sright.
SpinningColors LorettaS.,6th NotJustaPainting GraceL.,6th AWalk TobyG.,7th Mymamawalkedusthroughthetrail thetreeswerestoic theylookedlifeless buttherewerehintsofvibrance everywhere fromthescurrying,skitteringbug thatblendedinwiththealmost-blackdirt tothebirdnestledinthetreetops almost obscuredfromview.
Wewouldn’thavenoticedbutforthe singing thatcaptivatedus already wesawhintsofthe beautytocome. Wesatdownforlunch asthesungrewhigher shaftsoflightbeameddownonus alienshipscome toabductustoanotherworld lospétalosmoradosdancedintheair beggingustocomeforward.
Weventuredon
unsureofwhatwewouldfindbutreadynevertheless thegroundbegantosquelch whenwelookeddownwesaw lospétalosmorados theypitterpatteredontothegroundlikefloatingraindrops.
Nowmoreenergizedthanbefore weran nonstop eagertoseewhatlayahead wehastenedforward wetrekkedonward.
Inthedistance aspotoflight sotinywealmostdidn’tseeit almostdidn’tspeeduprunninguntilthattinyspotwasuponus infullglory.
Theflower-filledmeadowwasanoceanofpurple oureyeswidenedwitheverylavanda,everyvioleta,everylila nothingescapedourall-seeingeyes.
Westayedinthemarveluntil lavanda turnedintoduskypurple lila intograinypurple-gray Iwillneverforgetthatday.
HistoryThroughColor KonradJ.,7th Thecolorbluewasn’twellknownuntilthelateMiddleAges.Inthe RomanEmpire,bluewasevenconsideredacolorthatrepresented insanityandmourning.ItwasusedinancientEgypttodyecloth,butit didnotgainnoticeuntilthemedievalperiod,whenbluesuddenlybecame awell-knowncolor.ItwasoftenassociatedwiththeVirginMary, Christianity,andnobility.Infact,itbecamesopopularthatinsome countries,itwasreservedonlyfortherichnobles.Itsrelationwith Christianitygaveitsomuchmomentumthatitovertookredin popularity,arguablythemostwell-regardedcoloratthattime.Bluewas oftenusedinpaintingsduringtheRenaissance,usingultramarineand Indianindigo.However,indigoandultramarinewereincredibly expensive,sonoteveryonecouldusethem.Somepeoplewereso committedtousingthemthattheywentintodebtbecauseofthedyes’ extremeprices.Duetoitsimmenseprice,Indianindigopaintwas replicatedusingaplantcalledwoad.Woadbecamesopopularthatmany woadfarmersgreatlyprofitedduetotheextremedemandforbluedye. Overall,bluebecameawell-knowncolorlateintotheMiddleAges. Bluebecameapopularcolorwithmanyuses,withaheavyimpact onreligion.Itsrisetopopularitywasacomplexprocessthatwasheavily intertwinedwithreligion.Thatrelationwithreligionwasthegroundsfor multiplecolors’uses,likeinpaintings.Thestoryofblue’sriseto popularityisaninterestingtopicthatincludesmanyunexpectedpractices, religions,andpeople.Bluewasadecoration,asymbolofreligion,and evenalandmarkthroughoutitscomplexstory.StartingintheRoman EmpireandevenSouthAmericaandtheIncas,travelingtoEgypt,then France,thecolorspreadlikewildfire.
BlueDye’sUsesinMedievalTimes IntheMiddleAges,bluewasaheavilyusedcolor,seeninchurches, pottery,andclothing.Bluegainedpopularityduetoitsrelationto Christianity.Atfirst,bluewasn’tapopularcolorbecausebarbarianslike
theCeltsusedwoaddyetocoattheirfaces,furtherincreasingstigma. Eventually,theSaintDennisBasilicawasbuilt,usingcobalt-stainedglass. Becauseofthis,bluebecameverypopularandwasusedasacolorofholy lightinwhichtheVirginMarywasoftendepicted.Sincemanycountries practicedChristianity,bluebecameanoblecolor.TheFrenchwerethe firstcountryatthattimetohavetheirkingwearbluerobes.Fromthere, thenumberofpeoplewearingblueexploded.Thetiestonobilityand religionweresogreatthatinItaly,onlynobleswerepermittedtowearthe color.Thearticle“BlueinCulture”furthershowswhybluebecamesuch acommonlyusedcolorinmedievaltimes:“Blue[previously]playedno partintherichcostumesoftheclergyorthearchitectureordecorationof churches.Thischangeddramaticallybetween1130and1140inParis, whenAbbeSugerrebuilttheSaintDenisBasilica.Heinstalledstained glasswindowscoloredwithcobalt,which,combinedwiththelightfrom theredglass,filledthechurchwithabluishvioletlight.”Thisquote explainsthatduetothelandmark,bluegainedlotsofpopularity.Thisled toitbecomingahighlyusedcolorinplacesofworshipandevenin everydayitems.Inshort,bluewasusedinmanycases,likeplacesof worship,clothing,anditemsofeverydayoccurrence,becauseofitsnew popularity.
HowBlueDyewasMadeintheMiddleAges Bluedyewastypicallymadebyfarmingaplantcalledwoadbecause itwasacheaperalternativetodyeslikeultramarine.IntheMiddleAges, thereweremanytypesofbluedye,butsomeweremoreexpensivethan others.Thisledtosomedyesbecomingsorarethattheywerereserved onlyforroyalty.Becausesomedyesweremoreexpensivethanothers, peoplecameupwithalternatives,likewoad.Woaddyewasusedasan alternativetoindigo,duetoitsrelativelylowpriceandsimilarcoloring. Woadwasusedtodyetheclothesofpeoplewhocouldn’taffordindigo, anditwasmadebyfarmingtheplantandthengrindingitup.Itwasthen madeintodyeandusedtocolorclothing.Thearticle“TheWoadtoa SustainableBlue:AnOverviewofWoadHistoryfromAncientEgyptto ModernTimes”revealsthatwoadwasheavilyusedintheMiddleAges: “InEnglandandFrance,beforeIndianIndigogainedascendancy,
thewoadfarmersandtraderswereoftenamongtherichestinthedistrict. Toulouse,France,actuallygaineditswealththankstoWoad,andmanyof theschoolsanduniversitiesintheareawereinitiallyfoundedbythose whoprofitedfromWoad,usuallyastraders.”Thisquoteshowthatsince indigowassoexpensive,woadwasfarmedsoitcouldbeusedasan alternativedye.Inconclusion,woaddyewasmadebyfarmingand grindinguptheplant,andthedyewasusedasanalternativetoIndigodue tohowexpensiveitwas.
Blue’sRelationshiptoReligion ChristianityimpactedblueintheMiddleAgesbecauseblue representedholydivinelightandtheVirginMary.InChristianity,blue hadahighlysymbolicrole,displayingpurityandprosperity.Duetoits relationwiththeVirginMary,blueoccupiedmanychurchesandplacesof worshipforChristians,thereforebringingChristianitymoreawareness duetothefactthatbluewasapopularcolorintheMiddleAges.To furtherprovethatblueimpactedreligion,thearticle“TheHistoryOfThe ColourBlue”states,“Throughouthistory,bluehasbeenusedto representreligiouspurity,heaven,ordepressionanddespair.Itiscertainly anemotionallychargedcolourthatwillcontinuetobeusedbyartistsina multiplicityofdifferentwaysforgenerationstocome.”Thearticle explainsthatinreligion,bluewasaheavilysymboliccolorthat representedmanyimportantaspectsofChristianity,suchaspurity. The VirginMary,animportantfigureinthereligion,whoisoftendepicted wearingbluegarments,whichprovesthatbluesymbolizedthereligion. Allinall,blueimpactedChristianitybybecomingthecolorassociated withit,impactinghowChristiansandothersthoughtofChristianity.
Blue’sRisetoPopularity IntheRomanEmpire,bluewasconsideredacolorofmourningand insanity,butthatsuddenlychangedinthelateMiddleAges,whenblue rosetopopularityduetoitsrelationwithChristianity.Thereasonbehind thissuddenspikewasduetoaFrenchmannamedAbbeSurger.Hewas
askedtopainttheinsideofachurchnamedSaintDennisBasilica.When herepaintedthechurch,heusedatypeofstainedglassmadeofcobalt, fillingthechurchwithablueishlight.Thechurchthenbecameahuge landmark,duetotheinteriorlighting.Sincethechurchgainedsomuch fame,itwasimmediatelylinkedwithChristianityandsoon,theVirgin Mary.Thearticle“ASymbolicHistoryofBlue”explainsblue'sriseto popularity:“Attheendofthefourteenthcentury,bluesupercededred.It wasbecomingafashionablecolour,anoblecolour,fullofjoy,expressing virtueasitwasassociatedwiththeVirginMaryanddivinelight.”Since ChristianitywasthedominantreligioninmedievalEuropeandmany peoplewerepartofit,whenbluebecameassociatedwiththeirreligion,it immediatelygainedpopularity.Inconclusion,bluebecamepopularin medievalEuropebecauseofhowitrepresentedChristianity,thedominant religionatthattime.
Blueisnotjustacolor;itwasintertwinedwithnobility,religion,and architecture,andmaintainsitssignificanceinhistory.Asitprogressed,the colorlinkeditselfwithstories,religions,andtraitsvaluedbypeople,never stopping,alwayschanging.Thedyes,stories,paintings,andarchitecture linkedtobluemadeapathwaythroughhistory,impactingandchanging theworld.Thispopularityheavilyinfluencedhowthecolorimpacted religion,andhowitgainedsomuchattentioninthemodern-dayworld.
Bibliography Dl,Sarah."TheWoadtoaSustainableBlue:AnOverviewofWoad HistoryfromAncientEgypttoModernTimes."WearingWoad.Last modifiedDecember27,2015.AccessedDecember10,2025.
https://www.wearingwoad.com/the-woad-to-a-sustainable-blue-anoverview-of-woad-history/.
Hayes,Jermey."TheStoryofBlue."JeremyHayesArts,April19,2025. AccessedDecember10,2025.https://www.jeremyhayesarts.com/artblog/2460769 the-story-of-blue.
LondonFineArtsStudio."THEHISTORYOFTHECOLOUR BLUE."LondonFineArtsStudio,August28,2018.AccessedDecember 10,2025.https://londonfineartstudios.com/the-history-of-the-colourblue/?utm.
Slamson,John,Dr."ASymbolicHistoryofBlue."TheParisian Gentleman,August28,2015.AccessedDecember10,2025. https://www.parisiangentleman.com/blog/a-symbolic-history-of-blue.
WikimediaFoundation."BlueinCulture."Wikipedia.Lastmodified September15,2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue in culture#:~:text=In%20the%20art %20and%20life,dark%20green%20or%20dark%20blue.
WikimediaFoundation."WiltonDiptych."Wikipedia.Lastmodified December7,2025.AccessedDecember10,2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilton Diptych.
AFieldofPurpleFlowers CelinaL.,7th Iwastakinganafternoonwalk, WhenIstumbleduponthisbeautifulpurplefield. Thebrightcolorfilledmyeyes, Displayingamagnificentimage.
Thedifferentshadesofpurpleshowedanicecontrast. Italsohadpopsofyellowandgreeninbetween. AsIspunaroundontheopenfield, Ifellontoapatchoflavenderflowers.
Theysmelledsoothingyetrefreshing, Bitteryetsweet. Icouldhearthebeesbuzzingaround, Lookingforpollentocollect.
Oneparticulardarkpurpleflowercaughtmyeye. Itsdarkpetalssurroundedbylightonesmadeitpop. Ithadthornsonitsstem,tryingtosay, “Donottouchorcomenearme!Iwanttobealone.”
Istaredupatthesun, Lyingonthegroundwithmyarmswideopen. Myfingertipstouchedasoftpetal. Itfeltlikeasoftfabric,glidingagainstthem.
Ilookedinthatdirection
Toseeaclumpof えどむらさきand ききょうむらさきflowers. Thepetalsspreadoutbeautifullyfromthecenter, Creatingamesmerizingpattern.
Timeseemedlikeacheetah, Passingbysoquickly.
Intheblinkofaneye, ItwasnighttimeandIhadtosaygoodbye Tothatbeautifulpurplefield.
coloroflostchildhood Anonymous,8th ikeepcomingback tothisabandonedfairgroundwhereeverythingis perfect;wherenostalgiabringsbackmemoriesof kaleidoscopichorseswhirlingabovefairgroundasphalt, themoonandstarspaintingacarnivaloverhead.irememberthe sweetscentofcottoncandy,thedelicatepinkofthewayyou usedtoholdmeclose,thedelicatepinkofwhoiwasbeforethe ferriswheelturnedforthelasttimeandiwas stuck,stillreachingoutmyhandtothestars,glowingagainstthe cobaltsky ittastedlikeblackberriesandluck.ihadn’tyetrealizedthat thestarswerejustpaintedontotheceilingofthecircustent,silvery gemsglitteringinmyview drawnovertherealnighttokeepme cagedin,cagedinsidethegildedraysofsunlightbeamingdownonthe warmsummerday,thedaywhereeveryoneleftme. ikeepcomingbacktothisfairgroundbecauseirememberhowit usedtobe,becauseikeepwaitingfortherollercoastertosputter awakefromitsfinalrestingplace,forittotakemetothe skyandholdmeclose.
ikeepcomingbackbecausenomatter howlongithasbeenistillfeelaglintofrecognitionatmy childhoodthatidon’tknowhowtoletgoof.andikeepcomingback becauseidon’twanttolosethememoriesthatarealreadyfading, thesepiaofoldphotographsedgingmyviewuntili can’tseeanythingbutthatfakeskyiusedtothinkwas mywholelife.iwantthosefakestars,brighterthantheonesiseenow. iwantthembackbuti’mstuckbetweenlivingand runningbacktotheplaceiknow.
BenF.,7th
PaintingtheStars EmilyL.,6th
Look DavidL.,5th Lookattherain, Lookattheseeminglyinfinite; Thebluesky,speckledwithclouds, Thewaythebirdsflyinunison, Thecontrastoffeatherstoclouds. Thewaythesmokerisesfromchimneys, Slowlydriftingtowardsthecity. Thebreakintheatmospheredisruptsthescenery, Addingagloomthatblockstheblueofthesky.
Lookatthecolorsinnature, Lookattheshadesofthetrees. Lookatthebeautiful, Lookattheunpleasant. Inhaleyoursurroundings, Watchtherain.
TapestryofColor JTL.,8th Inroughgray, feelingtheurgetocompleteanexpedition fulfillamoralresponsibility, despiteaworldpaintedblack devoidofdefinition hesitsinwaiting, staringattheceiling, liketherebeloftheworld, novoicetocrysuffering nohearttobreak nosoulleftforloss
Theemotionsinhimareamixofcolor, aropestained, Colorcarefullydipped butmisplacedandmisused thecolorindistinguishablefromuse everyred,yellow,green, blue,orange,brown isanemotionthrownaside inawarwithinhimself everystrandofcolorisstretchedtoitslimit, knottedandfrayed,but
veiledcompletelyblue byhiscalmandquietdisposition
Indesperation, heputstherestofhimself inalasthope hisdaysarenumbered andhismissionseemsunfinishable, Butthejoyofhisreclamationshinesthrough, Abrightyellowraytaking Everyred,purple,green, Blue,orange,brown Weavingthemintoatapestryindestructible.
ThePowerBehindPurple SierraA.,7th Purpleisacoloroftenassociatedwithroyalty,power,andwealth.In theByzantineEmpire,princesandprincessesborntotheroyalfamily weresaidtobe“borntothepurple”andgiventhetitleofporphyrygenito. Thisproveshowpurplewasassociatedwithroyalty,butwhyistherethat relationship?Why,evennow,ispurpleacolorthatpeoplestillassociate withpowerandstatus?
Tounderstandwhypurplewassocloselyassociatedwithstatus, specificallyroyalty,andhowthatwasenforced,itisfirstimportantto understandwhypurplewassuchanexpensivecolor.Thepriceofpurple wasoneofthereasonsforitseliteassociations.
Whywaspurplesuchanexpensivecolor? Tyrianpurplewasaveryexpensivedyebecauseoftheeffort,time, andresourcesthatwererequiredtomakeit.Tyrianpurplewasmadefrom bolinusbrandaris,whichisaspeciesofseasnail.Ittookmanystepsto makethedye,includingextractingthesnails’glandsandboilingthemin brinefortendays.Notonlywasitaverylongprocess,but,accordingto thewebsiteHistory,“Ittookasmanyas250,000molluskstoyieldjustone ounceofusabledye.”Combinedwiththefactthatitwasalongprocessto make,thismadeTyrianpurpleveryexpensivetoproduce.
Imperialporphyryisatypeofstonewithareddish-purplecolorthat wasalsoveryrareandreservedforimperialpurposesonly.Accordingto WorldAtlas,“Imperialporphyrywasamineralthatwasconsidered similartoTyrianpurple.Thismineralwasalsorareasitonlycamefrom onespecificquarry.”Imperialporphyrywasalsousedalotinplacessuch asacircleinthemiddleofthePantheon,whereRomanemperorswere
crowned,andintheByzantineEmpire,wherethestonecoveredthewalls ofthe“PurpleChamber”inwhichempressesgavebirth.In600AD,the Romanslostcontrolofthequarry,whichonlymadethestonerarerand morevaluable.Fromthenon,newpiecesthatweremadeoutofimperial porphyryallhadtobereusedfromthestoneinpastprojects.
Howwaspurpleusedtorepresentstatus,andhowwasitenforced?
Purplewasusedtorepresentstatusbecauseofhowexpensiveitwas andwhoitwasavailableto.ImperialPorphyrywasreservedonlyfor royaltyinRome,andthatmadeitclearwhotherightemperorreallywas. AccordingtothesiteImperialPorphyry,“Emperorswereoftenraisedand deposedquickly.Itwaseasyforausurpertoraisemoney,gathertroops, putonapurplerobe,andtrytotakeover;butthepersonwhohadthe resourcestoimportImperialPorphyryandthemeanstobuildwithitwas theEmperor.”Thisonlyshowshowmuchpowerwasexpressedbybeing abletogetanduseimperialporphyry.Onlytheemperorwasabletoget imperialporphyry,makingitclearwhohadpowerandwealthwithinthe empire.
Tyrianpurplealsohadlimitationsandrestrictions.Itwasalsovery priceyandrepresentedstatusbecauseofitscost.AccordingtotheWorld Atlas,“Whileusuallyonlytherichandpowerfulcouldaffordpurple, sometimescommonerswereabletoobtainagarmentwiththecolor.This botheredtheupper-classRomans,andeventually,theycrafteda sumptuarylawaroundwearingthecolorpurple.”Asumptuarylawwas meanttoprotectthedistinctionbetweenclasses.Inthiscase,thelawonly allowedeliteRomancitizenstowearthecolor,and,accordingtoWorld Atlas,“withinthegroupofRomanelites,therewasevenanorderabout whoworepurpleandhowmuchoftheirclothingcouldbepurple.”This lawshowshowmuchpurplewasworth,andhowmuchpowerand
statuscamefromwearingit.Onlycolorsthatwereveryprizedwouldhave lawsaboutwearingthem,andpurpleclearlywasoneofthosevery powerfulcolors.Overall,purpleisacolorassociatedwithpower,wealth, royalty,andstatusbecauseofthepriceofboththedyeandthestone,and lawsaroundthecoloronlyhelpedtoenforcethis.
Bibliography Andrews,Evan."WhyIsPurpleConsideredtheColorofRoyalty?" History.A&ETelevisionNetworks.LastmodifiedJuly15,2015. AccessedOctober30,2025.https://www.history.com/articles/why-ispurple-considered-the-color-of-royalty.
Caskey,Jill,AdamS.Cohen,andLindaSafran."Porphyrysarcophagi." ArtandArchitectureoftheMiddleAges:ExploringaConnectedWorld. Lastmodified2022.AccessedNovember7,2025.
https://artofthemiddleages.com/s/main/item/2580#:~:text=Because%20 of%20its%20rarity%2C%20durability,and%20its%20allies%20or%20rivals.
Foskett,Hannah."AHistoryoftheColourPurple."Arts&Collections. Lastmodified2024.AccessedOctober30,2025.
https://www.artsandcollections.com/a-history-of-the-colour-purple/.
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RegentsoftheUniversityofMichigan."CreatingPurple."AncientColor CreatingUsingInvestigating.RegentsoftheUniversityofMichigan.Last modified2019.AccessedNovember12,2025.
https://exhibitions.kelsey.lsa.umich.edu/ancient-color/purple.php.
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Untitled Anonymous,8th Self-Portrait MayaL.,8th Ilearnedtospeakincolor, becausemywordskeptbreaking, myvoicekeptcracking, andfearswallowedmysentences.
ButwhenIspokebutteryellow, theyrepliedindarkgarnet. WhenIspokepearlpink, theyrepliedindullocher.
SoItriedtomakeupmyowncolor, onethatIhadneverspokenbefore. Amixofallmyheliotropethoughts, mysagedreams, myceruleanlove, myebonyfears, fulvousregrets, andsmaragdinehope.
Mynewcolorwasashinychrome, roughteal, softperiwinkle, spikycocoa, Ihadnoideawhattocallit. HeliochromeResistance? ButbeforeIcouldnameit, theyattackedmeonceagain.
Thepigmentsplatteredacrossmybrain: cruelchartreuse, evilmahogany;
Itriedtorunaway, buttheyonlycoloredmedeeper.
BOOM!Mushroomgraysmearedacrossmynose. BANG!Pucespilledovermyeyelids. SPLAT!Gambogetrickleddownmycheeks. CRACK!Bondiblueflewagainstmylips. BeforeIcouldgaspforair, tangelofloodedmynose, andIunwillinglychokedfuchsia downmythroat. Mylungsburned, andmyheartyearnedforfreedom.
WhenIturned,myworldlayshattered. Onlyonethingremaineduntouched: amirror,flawlessandpristine; andinsideofit,Isawmyself.
Acolorfulmasterpiece, butaworthlessmonster, dirty,muddied,andshocked, butalive.
Arainbowofcolorsbledintomyhead, seepingintomyfadedmind. AndthenIunderstood colorisn’twhattheythrowatyou, orwhatstainsyou, orwhathurtswhenithits. Colorislanguage. Andlanguagesurvivesbruises.
SoIscreamedatthem,inmymade-uptint. Andastheyranfrommypower,Irealized:
alltheshadesthattheyusedtoeraseme, blendedintosomethingnew, somethingunbreakable.
Ifinallyknewitsname.
Resilience. Notbright,dark, dull,orlight, butalive.
Acolorthatspeaks,evenwhenshaking, acolorthatmeans:
Iamstillhere.
colorofaugusts VivienneJ.,8th i.summer,theycalledit,&it’saleapingwordwithpursedlipsatthe center.childrenlaugh&play,letthepooldyetheirhairthecolorof tomorrow’sshampoo.thethickclunkofsodacanshittingbottomsof vendingmachinesmakesakindofrhythm on&on&on.
ii.wakeinthemidstoffeverfire,midjuly,wheneverythingtasteslike lemonade®ret.youdreambirdsfalling&stillsinging.half-sliversof themoonwidening;half-eatenpizzacrustsdon’tgetthatliberty.splotchy redonbeige.afteryougetbetter,mamacutsyourhair.
iii.thetreesdonotwantme,youwhispertoyourself&stillyouclimbthe trunklikeit’sthebrownishleatherofyourbaba’swalletpullingout moneyforgolfballs.thebranchesholdyouthewayyourmamawishes shecould.theseolive-treeleavesaregrey-green.flusteredwithgoldwhen thelightgetsin.seeafter skinscraped&bruisedlikeleakinggalaxies. crimsonspillinginsteadofthevioletyouwanted.
iv.hereyouaresittinginyourshower,trynameltbandaidsoffyourskin. summertheycalledit&it’sthethingi’llneveradmitifellinlovewith. sodacanswedon’trecycle.themoonblowingintosilverbubbles,silver, silver,everythingshining.wewaitforgoldlikeearthafterrain.you’ll perpetuatethethoughtofsittingbythepool&watchingyourfeet disappearinchlorine.youthink:i’mnevergonnawashthecobaltoutof me,ami?
v.meetmeatwaxinggibbouswhenoursong’sinitslastbreath.just‘ cause itwouldbeajokeifiwasmeanttofeelthisallalone.
AtDawn AlyssaJ.,7th IWishIKnew Anonymous,8th gradev.
youareprecious,starryeyesthatwatchtheworld convinceditismade foryoutobreakwideopen.bluerainbootsgetheavywithmud,butit’s okay.youdon’twannabeanythingbutthewild,impulsivechild;you wanteverythingyoucan’thaveandyouknowit.
thedayyoufindoutthegirlyoucrave adrug,amystery,areflection hassomethingyou’llneverhave,theworldripsopen,gutsspillout. playingcardswithsharpedgesscratchyourface,crimsonstreamsfrom youreyes,yourmouth,thickwithshameandrage.ittasteslikeplasticjoy, likeguiltandshameandturmoilandthetornadosheis
youignorethesinkingfeeling,griefofwhatyouwillneverfeel.drownit inwhitelightandscatteredlaughsbecauseyou’velearnedthatfeelingis dangerous.theysayyou’reawildchild?youdon’tfeellikeoneanymore, insteadfeellikeawasteofspacebecauseallyouwantisgreatness,not plastic allyouwantistograbholdoftheintangibleandputitbehind yourribsinplaceofyourheart.
gradevi.
youtellyourselftothinkcritically,theworldisflawedbutyouareits scholar.desperatelyreachforceruleanskysoyoucanbottlefreedomand putitintoyourobsidianeyes,makethempaleandperfect,andsomehow youwanteverythingagain,youwantitsilent youwanttobethewild childyouremember.
maybewhatyouwantisthecouragetolookherintheeyes,towashthe scarsoffyourshakinghands,thecouragetofeel,becausethesedays everythingismovingtoofastandtooslowallatonce,andwhenyoufinally dolookherintheeyestheyareperfectanduntouchedandinnocent.they remindyouofstars,andonceagainyouwantwhatyoucan’thavebutyou arefilledwithfirethistime.
gasolinespillsfromyoureyesintothetroddengrassasyouwipeaway caustictears.itsoaksthetiredearth.youfeelsomethingtuggingatyour lungsasyouwatchvermillionflamescreepacrosstheweeds.
gradevii.
fleshburns heartburns brainburns thesmellofcharredhopes risesfromthefield andfillsyouremptyskull.
armswraparoundyourchest, somehowattachedtoyoubut theyarenotyoursanymore. somethingelseseekstosave thepieceofskysewnintoyou.
gradeviii.
theskyistooredformyliking,soipeelbackmyribstofindmyblueheart itisgone.
