Colors passing through us

Colors passing through us by Marge Piercy
Purple as tulips in May, mauve
into lush velvet, purple
as the stain blackberries leave
on the lips, on the hands,
the purple of ripe grapes
sunlit and warm as flesh.

Every day I will give you a color,
like a new flower in a bud vase
on your desk. Every day
I will paint you, as women
color each other with henna
on hands and on feet.

Red as henna, as cinnamon,
as coals after the fire is banked,
the cardinal in the feeder,
the roses tumbling on the arbor
their weight bending the wood
the red of the syrup I make from petals.

Orange as the perfumed fruit
hanging their globes on the glossy tree,
orange as pumpkins in the field,
orange as butterflyweed and the monarchs
who come to eat it, orange as my
cat running lithe through the high grass.

Yellow as a goat’s wise and wicked eyes,
yellow as a hill of daffodils,
yellow as dandelions by the highway,
yellow as butter and egg yolks,
yellow as a school bus stopping you,
yellow as a slicker in a downpour.

Here is my bouquet, here is a sing
song of all the things you make
me think of, here is oblique
praise for the height and depth
of you and the width too.
Here is my box of new crayons at your feet.

Green as mint jelly, green
as a frog on a lily pad twanging,
the green of cos lettuce upright
about to bolt into opulent towers,
green as Grand Chartreuse in a clear
glass, green as wine bottles.

Blue as cornflowers, delphiniums,
bachelors’ buttons. Blue as Roquefort,
blue as Saga. Blue as still water.
Blue as the eyes of a Siamese cat.
Blue as shadows on new snow, as a spring
azure sipping from a puddle on the blacktop.

Cobalt as the midnight sky
when day has gone without a trace
and we lie in each other’s arms
eyes shut and fingers open
and all the colors of the world
pass through our bodies like strings of fire.

If only life was a colouring book

If only life was a colouring book by John Edward Smallshaw
..and then we could colour in,
madly fall fuller in and because
colouring can be erased
we can do it for days and days
and if the years pass me by
I'll just colour me
one more blue sky.

Dot to dot's duller we only need
colour
and
crayon
to make a day go on
I'll
vote for that.

Colouring Book

Colouring book by Blind Aesthetic
life is a colouring book
People are the crayons
Experiences are the various
Shades of those crayons
Live life to the fullest
Do it with your friends and family
Fill in that colouring book
And don't be afraid
To go outside of the lines

Colouring Under The Light

Colouring Under The Light by Mitta
I believe that my purpose is to colour you right;
be artistic on you all night.
Be bright under the dimmed light.
Hold and squeeze your crayons tight.
Just the two of us; no one else in sight;
because my purpose is to colour you right.

Me on your sketch board.
You filling me in with your crayons when you're bored,
and feeling me up like a hoard.
Leaving your wax on me like writings on a chalkboard.
I'll make sure that you're not scorned;
because my purpose is to colour you even if you're flawed.

Although I might not know where to start the assignment,
I'll colour you with much excitement.
Colouring on you is a perfect adornment,
and together we colour a perfect monument.
I chose you carefully as my colour assortment,
because my purpose is to colour you as an act of an atonement.

In you, I find so many colours in store.
In you, I find light for sure.
I remember us colouring until the early morning at four.
We coloured like we'd never coloured before.
We entagled inlove like a fight of foes.
Because my purpose is to colour you, of course.

Mitta Xinindlu

The Human Seasons

The Human Seasons

By John Keats


Four Seasons fill the measure of the year;
There are four seasons in the mind of man:
He has his lusty Spring, when fancy clear
Takes in all beauty with an easy span:
He has his Summer, when luxuriously
Spring's honied cud of youthful thought he loves
To ruminate, and by such dreaming high
Is nearest unto heaven: quiet coves
His soul has in its Autumn, when his wings
He furleth close; contented so to look
On mists in idleness—to let fair things
Pass by unheeded as a threshold brook.
He has his Winter too of pale misfeature,
Or else he would forego his mortal nature.
Poetry and Spoken Word: Where Words Come Alive

Poetry and Spoken Word: Where Words Come Alive

Poetry and Spoken Word: Where Words Come Alive

At Emerald Book Club, poetry is more than written lines on a page — it is voice, rhythm, emotion, and connection. Our Poetry & Spoken Word series creates a space where language is felt as much as it is heard.

This initiative celebrates the power of spoken expression, storytelling, and creative reflection, bringing together poets, listeners, and lovers of language from across our community and beyond.


A Space for Voice, Expression and Connection

Poetry has long been a tool for understanding ourselves and the world around us. Through spoken word and performance poetry, stories are shared aloud — boldly, gently, and authentically.

Our Poetry & Spoken Word sessions and recordings feature:

  • Original poetry and spoken word performances

  • Readings by emerging and established poets

  • Reflective pieces exploring identity, love, culture, community, and personal growth

  • Live poetry sessions, open mics, and literary events

Each performance invites listeners to pause, reflect, and connect — whether through shared experiences or new perspectives.

Why Poetry and Spoken Word Matters

Spoken word poetry offers a powerful platform for self-expression and inclusion. It allows voices to be heard, stories to be shared, and emotions to be processed in a supportive and creative environment.

For many participants, poetry becomes:

  • A tool for confidence and communication

  • A way to process thoughts and feelings

  • A bridge between creativity and community

  • An entry point into reading, writing, and storytelling

By creating accessible poetry spaces, Emerald Book Club continues its mission to inspire creativity, literacy, and meaningful connection.

Poetry and spoken word

From Live Performances to Digital Platforms

Our Poetry & Spoken Word content lives both online and within our events. Through recorded performances and digital playlists, poetry becomes accessible to anyone, anywhere.

You can experience our poetry content through:

  • Live poetry readings and open mic sessions

  • Recorded spoken word performances

  • Online poetry discussions and reflections

  • Community-led literary events and celebrations

These recordings are also shared through our YouTube channel, allowing our poetry community to grow beyond physical spaces.

Who This Is For

Our Poetry & Spoken Word series is open to:

  • Poetry lovers and spoken word enthusiasts

  • Emerging writers and performers

  • Readers looking for creative inspiration

  • Anyone seeking mindful listening and meaningful storytelling

No experience is required — only an openness to words and voice.

Get Involved

We encourage our community to take part in many ways:

  • Attend our poetry events and open mic sessions

  • Watch and engage with performances online

  • Share favourite lines or reflections in the comments

  • Submit interest to perform or collaborate

Poetry thrives when it is shared — and every voice adds value.

Join the Emerald Book Club Community

Emerald Book Club is committed to building inclusive literary spaces through reading, writing, and creative expression. Our Poetry & Spoken Word series is just one of the ways we bring people together through the power of words.

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