Guest Post by Linda Wilken
Some people may be familiar with the expression “God’s green earth,” such as “Why on God’s green earth….” I’d always wondered about that phrase. Why wasn’t it “God’s blue earth” or “God’s orange earth”? What if I changed the phrase “God’s green earth” to include colors other than green?
This captured my imagination, and I decided to make this exploration a spiritual exercise. I would focus on one specific color and record my observations. To me, God is in the details. So I wanted to see, feel, hear, smell, and taste each color that I would engage with. This process gave me a deeper appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us every day on “God’s green earth”…and a deeper gratitude for the daily gifts of God—one color at a time.
Below is a poem I wrote that is extracted from a series of poems exploring the qualities and attributes of different colors.
WHITE
Translucent porcelain.
Billowing releases from a whale’s blowhole.
Sun-bleached bones.
Variations of snow, as spoken by Northern peoples.
The welder’s blinding flame.
Orchards of apple blossoms.
A covey of grubs.
Floating cottonwood down, blanketing sizzling summer days
with the illusion of winter.
Walrus tusks.
Greek fishing villages framed by an azure sea.
A meandering, gravel-lined path.
Towering cumulous clouds.
Hot, stringy mozzarella cheese pizza.
Steam that asks the kettle to sing.
Diaphanous gauze.
A thumbnail moon at the zenith of day.
Exploding cattails.
A creamy milk bath.
Foam cresting an ocean wave.
Misty fog shrouding Camelot.
A feather on the breath of God
* * *
Consumed by white
Soaring clear of the quill
The cleansing breath of God
Sings exaltation
Into my refreshed essence
Into aerial hues
Of white manifold.
Of white untold.
____________________
Linda Wilken
Following a childhood dream to discover a way to live among the clouds, Linda Wilken worked as a flight attendant for nearly twenty years. Currently, she volunteers as a pianist in the surgical waiting area of a hospital, observing and studying the ways sound soothes, opens, and rejuvenates patients and family members on a deep, deep level. Throughout her life, Linda has worked as a musician, artist, and writer. However, Linda most identifies as Soul.
Anna
Love this so much, Linda!! You beautifully capture the essence of the items with care and reverence! Thanks for painting this picture for me to enjoy the little moments and things!
Linda
Thanks, Anna. And thanks, especially for your comment “painting this picture.” For me, that is one of the highest forms of word communication. And I remember the beautiful pictures you paint with words. Thank you.
Michael Avery
Linda, I can’t wait to hear about “Purple.” It’s my favorite color. When I was a kid I loved the song “Purple People Eater” and played it until my mom took the record away from me.
You could, or may have already, written one about rainbow colors all together. Some great images come to mind.
Thanks so much!
Linda
I guess you mom didn’t want the “Purple People Eater” earworm, Mike! I remember thinking that the song seemed like a giant tongue-twister – with lots of words to learn. How fun that your favorite color is purple. I’ll share with you at some point the poem Purple.
Gloria Lionz
Interesting… exploring all manner of ‘color’ in words; another engaging and mostly ephemeral way to capture anything we see or sense. Soul is “The” expert in all but expertly awaits our earthly evolution (if “It” didn’t it might just leave ‘early’ and let others figure out the puzzling ‘realities’ of this dimension.
Gloria 😉
Linda
Thanks for your perspective, Gloria. I always enjoy your way of seeing life on this planet.
Kathleen Kuehn
Using colors as a springboard for creativity in writing from Soul’s perspective is an inspiring way to explore. Thank you for sharing this, Linda. Divine awareness can show up in the subtle details of our lives, as a saying or phrase someone says. I remember as a young adult, I had an experience where I opened my eyes and all I could see was the color purple. It was everywhere and I couldn’t see anything else in front of me for almost a minute before it gradually faded. I was wondering why I was seeing this brilliant color, and I heard a voice on the inner tell me that purple was the color of passion. As in a zest and joy for life or a meaningful purpose. It made an impression on me.
Linda
Thanks, Kathleen. I’d love to hear more about your experience with purple. How old were you? Were you with anyone else? How did the experience impress upon you? Perhaps you’d write a story about it for Mike to post?
Pichaya Avery
Thank you, Linda, for sharing the love. First of all, I would like to thank you for educating me about the phrase, “God’s green earth.” I had never heard of it before until I read your post. Secondly, I love your beautiful poem. The “cleansing breath of God” and the repeated emphasis on “white” remind me to put my attention on purity, peace, love, and grace. It’s a wonderful spiritual exercise. Indeed. Finally, we would like to thank you again for your wonderful article.
Linda
Dear Oi. I should have included in the poem the evening when I met you in person (which was long after I wrote the poem). You were wearing that striking white dress, and you were the very picture of white’s essence. So lovely.