I’m not a synesthete
but when I listen
I can hear the colours
they are
all the colours of the heart
and maybe more
lighting up the parts of me I didn’t know existed
as I watch the fingers dance
I see the colours: red for fire
purple-pink for softer tones
indigo for sadness
gold for the pianist’s virtuoso touch
and most of all what speaks to me
are all the infra-reds and ultraviolets
off the scale, beyond the spectrum
colours we can hear, but never see.
© Experimentsinfiction 2020, All Rights Reserved
Written for dVerse MTB: Synesthesia, where Grace gives us the following challenge:
Today we will incorporate music in our poem from the perspective of a synesthete. Create your own Symphony. Infuse your musical experience when listening to a band, artist or musical genre, with colors, sounds & textures. Write a song filled with colors.
I was inspired by Rousseau’s YouTube channel, and this video in particular:
Despite my love of Joni Mitchell and heavy rock, I adore classical music and opera, and have a big soft spot for Chopin. Thank you for sharing one of my favourite pieces. I enjoyed all your colours of the heart.
Thank you, Kim: I love music from a broad spectrum of genres! 🌈
such wonderful words, and a perfect song choice!
Thank you, Linda 😊
I love how you shifted to the colors outside the visible spectrum… virtuoso music can have that effect when all the scales are used.
Yes, I have no idea how anyone can attain that level of virtuosity!
Very beautiful and passionate!
Thank you Lucy ❤️
What a lovely visual, those colours we can hear but never see!
Thanks Jane 🌈
🙂
I love Chopin’s music, it’s got heart and life and beauty. I enjoyed reading how you see it, Ingrid. Cool video also.
Thanks Lisa! 🌈
You’re very welcome.
I loved to play Chopin when painting with oils. I haven’t painted in a long while but this poem brought back those feelings as something from my heart connected with paint, brush, and paper.
I’m so pleased I brought back those memories for you!
You’ve magnificently captured the colour of music, as I sit here, listening my music…
https://youtu.be/0G383538qzQ
Thank you, Ivor: music is a very colourful thing, isn’t it? 🌈
Indeed so Ingrid, ..
Yes Ingrid music awakens and dances with a depth of our soul that is almost magical. I love getting swept up in music. It’s enlivening and intoxicating. Great write here!
Thanks Rob, me too!
Such passionate, passionate writing, Ingrid! 💝
Thank you Sanaa ❤️
Wow, that musical piece is divine. I can see all the colors you have described here. And maybe:
beyond the spectrum
colours we can hear, but never see.
Thanks for joining in.
It was a pleasure 😊
“…off the scale, beyond the spectrum”…just like this killer-diller verse. Conga rats, Ingrid.
Thanks so much, Ron!
Ingrid, a very lovely poem. I once had 6th grade students listen to classical music and draw what they heard. They came up with some very interesting images. 🙂
I liked your poem’s closing thought of “colors beyond the spectrum.”<3 All the best!
Oh I can imagine that was a really interesting exercise! Thank you Cheryl 😊
Classical words complimented by classical music. Beautifully done, Ingrid.
Thanks Eugenia 😊
Beautiful words and music! I feel like my mind is pushed beyond the spectrum, into new worlds indeed! Very zen right now 🙂
Thanks Tricia, pleased you enjoyed!
Enjoyed your poem and Chopin YouTube video immensely, Ingrid!
Thanks, I’m glad you did 🙏
Those are soul colors! They reach down deep and grab you! Well done. I love your take on the prompt!
Thanks Dwight!
Transcendent thoughts, Ingrid. 🥰 Your poem reminded me a book I read many years ago ~ Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet. A fascinating person and read. Daniel is an autistic savant who does see numbers and words in colors.
That does sound fascinating. Thank you Michele 😊
a delicate soulful rendition to match your music choice, lovely thanks!
Thank you 😊
welcome 🙂
“Colours of heart” ❤ a lovely line, Ingrid! Amazing poetry as always :))
🌈❤️🙏
Beyond the spectrum colors. Indeed. (K)
Gorgeous 😍
Thank you 🌈
A deep pleasure 💐
Love this poem Ingrid reflecting colors of emotion in you world. I think i commented and liked on my phone but doesn’t look like it went through? Loved Chopin to go with. ❤️ Cindy
Thank you so much Cindy: those videos are amazing aren’t they? 🌈🙏❤️
indeed! totally amazing! 🙏🌷🌷🙏
This poem is damn perfect. The structure, the theme, the deep meaning, the perfect ending.
Thank you, Andrew, that’s a very kind compliment 😊
“The colors we can hear but never see” is a wonderful evocation of genius.
Thank you for adding a little class to the prompt. I dug all the poems that chose ballads and blues as well, but your piece capped the challenge in a very dynamic way. I liked,” and most of all what speaks to me are all the infra-reds and ultraviolets off the scale.”
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌈
Delightful. One of my friends hosts an Italian blog in which he sometimes features Chopin, although at the moment he is celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday.
A good reason to celebrate!
it’s funny because there are certain composers… of course, I know the name but not really the music. Chopin is one of them, although I am finding that I appreciate music for piano more and more. I put it down to age!
I’ve always been old at heart then 😅
Interesting