Shades of Grey

Dark cumulous clouds contain
the filtered sunlight in a strange
monochromatic sunrise
where birds seen in silhouette
seem to think they can sing color
into this this grey day.
Mountains defined by stark dark shapes
fade into the distance as if swallowed
by fog's mysterious whiteout.
I feel encapsulated, as if inside of
a black and white photograph
that only defers to shades of grey.

© Connie Marcum Wong
March 8, 2015

Back Black and white film photography 
Poetry Contest Sponsor Giorgio A. V.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015


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12
Date: 5/21/2025 8:05:00 PM
Vivid.
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Date: 4/20/2015 7:25:00 PM
A trly original take on the subject. I love the use of the word encapsulated. Light & Love
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Date: 4/6/2015 3:00:00 PM
Yes, the birds can sing color into our grey days, if we let them... I enjoyed your beautiful poem, Connie. You've captured the melancholy feeling that black & white photos can portray, sometimes... Congrats on the great win!
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Date: 3/31/2015 3:32:00 AM
Hi Connie! Congrats on your win. I was hoping to see it higher up the list. All the best. Hugs // paul
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Date: 3/30/2015 11:39:00 PM
I connect to this poem ,especially lines 5 and 6. Congrats.
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Date: 3/30/2015 6:30:00 PM
Hi Connie, stopping back to congratulate you on your nice win, and I enjoyed reading your lovely poem again. Hugs, Sandra
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Date: 3/30/2015 2:55:00 PM
Dropping back with my congrats Connie:-) Hugs Jan xx
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Date: 3/30/2015 2:08:00 PM
aha, this must be it.this one before. Yes, I seem to recall reading this before with that whiteout line and really liking it from before. Congrats on the winner list.
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Date: 3/30/2015 1:54:00 PM
Congrats on a fine win Connie
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Date: 3/27/2015 2:18:00 PM
This is a hauntingly beautiful poem that poetically draws on the allure of nature to set a scene that creates a Kodak moment that stretches into a feeling. Emile. #7
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Date: 3/25/2015 6:09:00 PM
I use to live in Vancouver, grey was just a colour you got use to. Occasionally drove over the border to Seattle other than the weather both stunningly beautiful cities.
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Date: 3/25/2015 6:31:00 AM
Hi Connie, just found your amazing poem. You captured the feeling we see in this art form through your wonderful words. Best wished in the contest! Hugs, Sandra
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/25/2015 2:06:00 PM
Thank you very much Sandra. I wrote this poem and then found this picture that has all but the birds, but I am sure they are in the scene somewhere. Smile. Hugs,Connie
Date: 3/22/2015 7:06:00 AM
Stunning! Your images are amazing! A fav for me!
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/25/2015 2:11:00 PM
Thank you so much for the fav Monterey. It means a lot to me when anyone likes a poem of mine enough to fav it. I searched the web and finally found a photo that matched my words all but for the birds. Hugs, Connie
Date: 3/19/2015 9:18:00 AM
"...they can sing color into this grey day..." Wow!
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/25/2015 2:16:00 PM
We call that kind of day Seattle weather. I used to live there and miss it often, especially in summer. The birds sing their songs regardless. Smile. Thank you Armand. Hugs, Connie
Date: 3/18/2015 3:55:00 PM
Love this poem, Connie. Beautifully written, with great imagery. I was there.
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/25/2015 2:20:00 PM
Thank you Cona. I was lucky enough to find that photo on the web that almost matches exactly. I lived in Seattle years ago so I enjoy those kind of days. Hugs, Connie
Date: 3/17/2015 7:45:00 PM
I was blown away with the majestic horses but more blown with your poem.. :)! Beautiful!.. :) hugs..olive eloisa
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/17/2015 8:01:00 PM
Thank you very much Olive. I am glad you liked it. I just loved those horses. I thought they represented black and white beautifully. Hope you had a nice St. Patrick's Day! Sláinte, Connie
Date: 3/17/2015 3:02:00 AM
Hi Connie, I posted a poem in your invented form. Let me know how I did with it. I wrote one a long time ago for a contest you did with Andrea...thanks! Hugs :))
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/17/2015 8:02:00 PM
Thank you very much Rhonda. You are so talented. I already checked it out and left a comment on it. I hope you had a lovely St. Patrick's Day! Sláinte, (to Health) Connie
Date: 3/15/2015 10:36:00 PM
What a beauty you have blended with your imagination in an otherwise serious and dull grey color Connie. Perhaps the singings of Birds bring colors in the clouds and in life as well. The beauty also lurks from the photographs you have placed dear friend, thus making the poem more appealing. It was a joy to read your sweet write. I have placed a new Poem / Song and hope you would find it interesting. Love and best wishes always....Ravindra K Kapoor
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/17/2015 8:03:00 PM
I will go read your poem Ravindra. Thank you very much for your sweet comments on this poem. Blessings, Connie
Date: 3/15/2015 4:59:00 PM
This is wonderful, Connie - read it twice
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/17/2015 8:08:00 PM
Wow, thank you very much Jack. I enjoy short poetry. It is much easier on my tired eyes. I hope you enjoyed St. Patrick's Day! Sláinte (to health) Connie
Date: 3/12/2015 2:50:00 AM
Incredible images from the birds to the mountains within the shades of gray...best wishes and hugs, Rhonda
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/12/2015 1:58:00 PM
Thank you Rhonda. I appreciate your comments. Cheers, Connie
Date: 3/11/2015 10:12:00 PM
Great write Connie...I love the line about singing color into a grey day...7...hugs
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/12/2015 1:55:00 PM
Thank you Joseph. I appreciate your comment. Cheers, Connie
Date: 3/11/2015 3:12:00 PM
Just wow Connie... enjoyed reading this well written poem ... nad
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/11/2015 3:46:00 PM
Thank you very much Nad. Cheers, Connie
Date: 3/11/2015 12:01:00 AM
beautifully painted shades connie lost at times in the grey area smiling lifes darker shade love the imaginary used
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/11/2015 1:20:00 AM
We have had mornings here lately just like what I describe Liam. Thanks so much for your comment. Cheers, Connie
Date: 3/9/2015 6:59:00 AM
Thank you very much Demetrios. So good to hear from you. Blessings, Connie
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Date: 3/9/2015 6:39:00 AM
Life impossible would be without some shade of gray! An excellent depiction of the forms of gray that beautify your writing, dear Connie!
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/9/2015 7:06:00 AM
Thank you very much Demetrios. It was so good to hear from you. Blessings, Connie
12
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