Live Virtual Group Session: 6PM EST February 6th 2023

24 Comments

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this session!

For this session we read a poem “Oranges” by Gary Soto, posted below. 

Our prompt was: “Write about the color orange.”

More details will be posted on this session, so check back again!

Participants are warmly encouraged to share what you wrote below (“Leave a Reply”), to keep the conversation going here, bearing in mind that the blog of course is a public space where confidentiality is not assured.

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Please join us for our next session Friday February 10th at 12pm EST, with more times listed on our Live Virtual Group Sessions.

“Oranges” by Gary Soto

Credit: Gary Soto

Rita Basuray “Write about the color orange.”

24 thoughts on “Live Virtual Group Session: 6PM EST February 6th 2023”

  1. drcrnp

    Billy’s parents obsessed in orange. First I knew Billy and then I learned about the orange. Orange shutters on their house, an orange mailbox at the curb, orange kitchen counters, orange curtains, and an orange GTO that Billy drove around recklessly. Fifty years later at the orange time of day, Billy was broadsided by a car of indeterminate hue, and his brain has never been the Billy Brain of before but he still beams when I talk about his parents’ orange motif.

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    • al3793

      Orange is not a common favorite color unless one is fan of the Orangemen or Volunteers. But that orange GTO was one of a kind. The car of indeterminate hue and the Billy Brain of before and its alliteration takes me back into Soto’s narrative. It is sometimes fortunate what memories and responses the brain can conjure even when injured. Thankyou. Andre

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  2. michele348

    About the color orange~~~

    We are in the long dark days of winter, the sun rising late and setting early.
    The vibrant green leaves of summer have long since fallen to Mother Earth and have become one with her.
    It’s a time to dream about the growing season ahead, as we endure the cold of winter.

    Occasionally, I am privileged to view a spectacular sunset, as the sun’s rays say goodbye to the day.
    Looking to the horizon, I see shades of orange, red and pink stretching across the sky.
    The scene brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.
    What a wonderful way to end this day!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Elizabeth

      Sunsets are so amazing and fleeting at the same time. Like the poem, they put a smile on my face. We are lucky to see them and enjoy them, Michele. It really is a wonderful way to end the day.

      Liked by 1 person

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    • al3793

      Our south central PA sunsets have been impressive this winter. Your speaker takes back to the nostalgia or warmer days even if only a few months past and a few months away. Andre

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  3. rehavia6

    The bright orange sun blinds me.
    Juicy slices of orange dribbling down my chin.
    The smell of citrus puts a smile on my face.
    The kitchen cabinets of my youth were white with an orange trim.
    For Buddhists orange is the color of vitality.
    It is also the color of danger.
    Orange is a mixture of the red of anger and the yellow of cowardice.
    The orange flicker of a fire.
    I have never liked orange clothing.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Elizabeth

      I also never liked orange clothing for me, but I realize I like orange in many things. I never thought about it till we read the poem. I enjoyed your list, especially how you discuss how orange represents vitality and danger, and a combination of anger and cowardice. I found that very thought-provoking.

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      • rehavia6

        Great point! I think what I meant in my poem is that orange warns us of danger not just that it is the color of danger.

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    • al3793

      Your speaker shares so many sensations tied to orange, fact filled and then closes with a thought about not liking to don orange. In the momentary flicker of a flame which do I see, the red of anger or the yellow of cowardice. A new experience. Thank you.

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  4. Elizabeth

    Orange is my least favorite color.
    I like it even less than gray.
    I’m not sure why.
    I know it’s not a flattering color on me.
    Come to think of it – I have no orange clothes,
    No orange lipstick or nail polishes.
    But—
    I am awed by the orange of the sunset,
    I am calmed by the orange of the candle flame,
    Oh, and I love the taste of a sweet and juicy orange-
    No matter how messy it gets.
    Maybe I have to rethink my color preferences
    And open up to the possibility of change.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • michele348

      Elizabeth, I agree with most of what you said. I, also, do not have any orange clothing, but I must say I do love seeing orange in those sunsets and I could stare into the orange/red flames of a bonfire and be mesmerized. Plus, orange is my grandson’s favorite color so for that, it receives bonus points 🙂

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      • Elizabeth

        Michele—I agree it gets bonus points as your grandson’s favorite color—that would be enough reason for you to love it!

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    • al3793

      Elizabeth, I wonder where orange stands on the list of favorite colors. The aroma of a orange freshly peeled is very notable. I painted a model of a Pontiac GTO bright orange one day as a boy and I loved that but it have never been my go to color. I also appreciated the possibility of new experiences as your speaker does here.

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  5. al3793

    I had no idea orange could be so many colors.
    Eric Carle said he had trouble with yellow,
    but not orange.
    One only need to gaze at the horizon at
    sunrise or sunset to discover
    an endless pallete of oranges.

    Let me suggest a run on I-70 West
    heading for Copper or Breck
    at 70 MPH on a summer evening
    when you can chase a sunset
    before you lose it running up a pass.

    The oranges emit unimaginable blazes of yellow,
    reds almost fuchsia and pinks,
    fire in the sky
    against a purple sky
    like drapes on purple mountains
    an array of colors so mind blowing
    an axolotl appears as if on a Hunter Thompson
    psychedelic journey.

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    • michele348

      Wow, a ride on I-70 W, with the sun nearing the horizon, a blaze of orange, red, and pink streaking across the sky. I can hear the tunes blaring on the car radio, with the car windows lowered down and the air rushing into your face. I must admit I was not familiar with what an axolotl was..had to look it up. What an amazing creature it is, although I’m not particularly fond of the creepy, crawly creatures 🙂

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    • Elizabeth

      Andre—I love the idea of chasing a sunset—usually so fleeting, which is what makes it special and satisfying not view. Each one is unique. We can forget about psychedelics because we can get high on sunsets!

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      • al3793

        Hunter S. Thompson lived in Aspen and we were headed in that direction. The dispensaries in CO boast the opportunity to find health the “natural way,” and I counter that they should come with me on a walk into the mountains and I will show them the natural way to health. That sky that night was absolutely magnificent, constantly changing as we followed it until it got away from us during the long ride up Vail pass. 🙂

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  7. Elizabeth

    Andre, interesting that you mention your Pontiac. As I was doing my writing, I did think about how when I was younger I had a hot orange room with a neon poster. Today I never would paint a room that color—different times, different perspectives. Maybe I should never say never!

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