A DEEPER SHADE OF BLUE

A DEEPER SHADE OF BLUE

Sometimes life is light blue,

like a pair of jeans that fit,

just right.

Sometimes it’s a sky of blue,

pale and full of light.

Sometimes the blue of a blue-eyed baby.

Full of promise.

But things can turn,

without warning.

Someone adds Prussian Blue

and the promise is broken.

Sometimes it’s birthday flowers.

Irises,

of a blue so deep it’s almost purple.

That’s how age creeps up on you:

Wearing blue shoes and that blue dress

you always wanted that doesn’t fit now.

It’s the memory of those aunties,

singing ‘Three Little Girls in Blue’

and laughing at themselves.

Raucous and unashamed.

The memory of the laundry with its

cube of blue (the darkest blue of all)

that made sheets so white

they hurt your eyes.

The first sight of the sea on holiday,

crammed into a car with your siblings.

Your parents laughing at your crazed excitement.

And the sea all wavy blue lines,

moving relentlessly.

Sometimes life is the bluebird of happiness,

flying high, matching its colour to the sky.

Happiness can be like that.

A tranquil shade of blue.

But underneath there’s a deeper shade of blue,

and an infinity of pain.