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:
Experiments in Fiction 
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.
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Thank you, Kim: I love music from a broad spectrum of genres! 🌈
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such wonderful words, and a perfect song choice!
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Thank you, Linda 😊
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I love how you shifted to the colors outside the visible spectrum… virtuoso music can have that effect when all the scales are used.
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Yes, I have no idea how anyone can attain that level of virtuosity!
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Very beautiful and passionate!
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Thank you Lucy ❤️
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What a lovely visual, those colours we can hear but never see!
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Thanks Jane 🌈
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:)
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I love Chopin’s music, it’s got heart and life and beauty. I enjoyed reading how you see it, Ingrid. Cool video also.
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Thanks Lisa! 🌈
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You’re very welcome.
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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.
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I’m so pleased I brought back those memories for you!
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You’ve magnificently captured the colour of music, as I sit here, listening my music…
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Thank you, Ivor: music is a very colourful thing, isn’t it? 🌈
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Indeed so Ingrid, ..
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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!
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Thanks Rob, me too!
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Such passionate, passionate writing, Ingrid! 💝
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Thank you Sanaa ❤️
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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.
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It was a pleasure 😊
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“…off the scale, beyond the spectrum”…just like this killer-diller verse. Conga rats, Ingrid.
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Thanks so much, Ron!
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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!
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Oh I can imagine that was a really interesting exercise! Thank you Cheryl 😊
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Classical words complimented by classical music. Beautifully done, Ingrid.
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Thanks Eugenia 😊
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Beautiful words and music! I feel like my mind is pushed beyond the spectrum, into new worlds indeed! Very zen right now :)
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Thanks Tricia, pleased you enjoyed!
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Enjoyed your poem and Chopin YouTube video immensely, Ingrid!
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Thanks, I’m glad you did 🙏
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Those are soul colors! They reach down deep and grab you! Well done. I love your take on the prompt!
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Thanks Dwight!
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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.
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That does sound fascinating. Thank you Michele 😊
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a delicate soulful rendition to match your music choice, lovely thanks!
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Thank you 😊
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welcome :)
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“Colours of heart” ❤ a lovely line, Ingrid! Amazing poetry as always :))
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🌈❤️🙏
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Beyond the spectrum colors. Indeed. (K)
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Gorgeous 😍
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Thank you 🌈
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A deep pleasure 💐
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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
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Thank you so much Cindy: those videos are amazing aren’t they? 🌈🙏❤️
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indeed! totally amazing! 🙏🌷🌷🙏
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This poem is damn perfect. The structure, the theme, the deep meaning, the perfect ending.
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Thank you, Andrew, that’s a very kind compliment 😊
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“The colors we can hear but never see” is a wonderful evocation of genius.
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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.”
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Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌈
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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.
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A good reason to celebrate!
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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!
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I’ve always been old at heart then 😅
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Interesting
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