CATHERINE C. CON
YELLOW
Yellow is the color between green and orange on the spectrum of visible light.
Yellow 黃.
This Chinese character depicts dry mud on the winter rice field in an urn. The color of dried soil on the endless arable land, for a country built on agriculture and farm hands. A dignified color, where the main food source of rice comes from. A color of necessity.
Yellow is the color of Chinese emperors’ silk robe embroidered with gold threaded dragons, the color he wore when he attended the court. A color of royalty and power. The “Yellow River” meandering through the center of China, her tempestuous water wove five thousand years of war and peace, prosperity, and diminution. An ancient culture born, thrived, and declined on the banks of the roaring “Yellow River”.
Yellow is also a Chinese surname. A large clan in China are named after Yellow. No other colors are honored to be a cognomen of a clan but yellow. My mother’s maiden name is yellow, 黃, pronounced Hwang. My grandfather was keen on having boys to carry on his last name. After my grandmother had three girls, my grandfather took in a young woman working in the tea house he frequented to be his second wife. The young woman soon bore a boy. Joy. Hope. Celebrations. The boy was spoiled rotten, as a teen, he frequented juvenile detention center. As an adult, he gambled his inheritance away. The oldest girl, my mother, worked hard and took over my grandfather’s business, took care of my grandfather and grandmother’s old age. The family of Yellow.
When Pablo Neruda was imprisoned, he must have been inspired by yellow, the color of sunlight, the bird’s feathers, the citrous fruits juicy with fragrance, fresh bread yellowed from the oven, and the color of the season changing leaves.
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Which yellow bird
fills its nest with lemons?
If the color yellow runs out
with what will we make bread?
Why do leaves commit suicide
when they feel yellow?
What does autumn go on paying for
with so much yellow money?
(The Book of Questions Pablo Neruda)
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When I came to America, I learned that the East Asians were “Yellow Perils” in history class. No longer naïve. I grew reticent, worked harder than the person next to me. In my new country, I matured and flourished with every new opportunity presented to me. The lesson of history.
I didn’t realize how much I favor yellow until I moved into my cottage. A new space to decorate. Kelly Wearstter’s online interior decorating class came in the opportune time.
“If you are wondering what colors to use to decorate the interior of your house, look at your closet, your clothes are your favorite colors. If you are comfortable living in these colors, they will echo the same comfort in your house.” She said.
Looking in my closet, I saw gray, navy blue, brown and specks of yellow.
I re-upholstered my sofa to a creamy white, laid navy-blue and white striped cushions, and large yellow throw pillows on the sofa.
I am comfortable in my cottage with my yellow throw pillows. Yellow brings in sunshine and peace in my new, empty nester cottage.
The color of yellow.
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CATHERINE C. CON, HAS PUBLISHED IN EMRYS JOURNAL, TINT JOURNAL, THE BARE LIFE REVIEW, THE PETIGRU REVIEW, HERSTRY, SHARDS(SHARDS.GLASSMOUNTAINMAG.COM), DUNES REVIEW, EMRYS JOURNAL ONLINE(MEDIUM.COM), NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM, CATFISH STEW, CHANGE SEVEN, LONGRIDGE REVIEW; LIMIT EXPERIENCE JOURNAL, ON THE RUN, LIGHT HOUSE WEEKLY, NEW YORK TIMES. NOMINATED FOR 2020 PEN/ROBERT J. DAU SHORT STORY PRIZE FOR EMERGING WRITERS; SELECTED FOR "2020 LOCAL AUTHORS" BY GREENVILLE COUNTY LIBRARY, SOUTH CAROLINA. FINALIST FOR THE ANNE C. BARNHILL PRIZE FOR CREATIVE NONFICTION, FALL 2021. SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA WRITERS ASSOCIATION 2022-PRESENT. FIRST PLACE FOR LIGHTHOUSE WEEKLY MARCH FICTION CONTEST., MARCH 2022.