Reflections about Shades of Grey

Carol A. Hand

 

Contemplating light versus dark
moderated by infinite shades of grey
sometimes the soft fuzzy colors of fog
or sharply bounded shadows on a sunny day
the pearl-toned texture of morning clouds
shifting hues with changing light
a respite from noontime’s glare or the inky ebony
of a stormy snowless moonless night

***

Softening contrasts of gradiating grey
creating a comfortable space
in between light and dark
where too many of us choose to stay

 

Liberating the colors of rainbows again
requires searching our souls, healing our pain,
letting go of illusions and unnecessary things
courageously willingly to face the unknown
***

 

“Change”
Music and Lyrics by Tracy L. Chapman

If you knew that you would die today
If you saw the face of God and Love
Would you change?
Would you change?
If you knew that love can break your heart
When you’re down so low you cannot fall
Would you change?
Would you change?

How bad how good does it need to get?
How many losses how much regret?
What chain reaction
What cause and effect
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget
Makes you change
Makes you change

If you knew that you would be alone
Knowing right being wrong
Would you change?
Would you change?
If you knew that you would find a truth
That brings a pain that can’t be soothed
Would you change?
Would you change?

How bad how good does it need to get?
How many losses how much regret?
What chain reaction
What cause and effect
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget
Makes you change
Makes you change

Are you so upright you can’t be bent
if it comes to blows
Are you so sure you won’t be crawling
If not for the good why risk falling
Why risk falling

If everything you think you know
Makes your life unbearable
Would you change?
Would you change?
If you’d broken every rule and vow
And hard times come to bring you down
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you knew that you would die today
If you saw the face of God and Love
Would you change?
Would you change?

(Source: azlyrics.com)

***

23 thoughts on “Reflections about Shades of Grey”

  3. To me this speaks of individual choice through self empowerment. Personal change should not “just happen” – it should always be self-directed, that is, directed by the self, to the self. Good lyrics in that song.

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  4. “Softening contrasts of gradiating grey / creating a comfortable space / in between light and dark / where too many of us choose to stay”
    ~ So true, Carol. It’s so much safer to have one’s feet in either camp.
    ~ Would our imminent death make us change, as the singer Chapman asks. For those of us whose beliefs are set in stone, I think not.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Such thoughtful comments, Rosaliene and a crucial question about what spurs people to change. After working with people who were dying, I tend to agree with your conclusion. Those who cling to things, or live in fear, tend to die that way. People who have lived with kindness and joy greet that ultimate change with peace and grace.

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  9. Wonderful, dear Carol. I am one who can stay in the gray…for as long as I need to. The colors mean even more to me…perhaps because of the contrast and my comfort with both. Very thought post. 💕

    Liked by 1 person

        1. It’s often difficult for me to understand the words, too, Honey, so I hunt for the lyrics myself and post them in case others find them helpful. I am glad to know that’s the case. Again, thank you for your comments and for sharing this. 🙂

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