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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dive into captivating worlds, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with fellow bookworms who share your passion for literature. Whether you're an avid reader, a casual browser, or someone looking to explore new genres, there's a place for you here amidst the emerald pages of our virtual library. #emeraldbookclub#bookstagram#book#bookworm#booknerd#booklover#booklovers#bookaddict
