Last night my husband and I were blessed to see "The Color Purple" at the Fox Theater in Detroit. A group of us went out to celebrate the 14th anniversary of a genuine, humorous, God-loving couple that attends our church.
There are so many things I could ravish in about the evening.
Fellowship.
Good conversation.
authentic mexican food.
continual quoting from the movie.
sitting next to the most handsome, gentle man I've ever known.
Being intoxicated by the subtle smell of his cologne.
Blushing privately at the realization that he's my husband.
smile.
But the highlight of the evening truly was...the color PURPLE.
Not so much the play itself, but the ability to actually see, hear, and sense the color PURPLE.
You see, as a singer, I often describe vocal tones and textures in colors and seasons.
I describe my voice as like unto autumn.
It texture is smooth but edgy, like wet leaves falling from a tree.
Warm but breezy.
A sort of pastel brown and pink, swirled together as one..creating this sort of
deep,
bellowing,
but gentle sound.
It comes from God, and still mystifies me when I hear it coming from inside me.
Last night...I could hear the color purple.
This young lady, Jeanette Bayardelle, was nothing short of amazing.
Not because she remembered her lines, or depicted Celie to such a truth that even Whoopi would applaud her.
But more so, she did what had not been done for me in book, nor the movie.
She created; with her voice, the color purple.
It was brilliant in tone.
It was melancholy in feeling.
It was magnificent in volume and texture.
It was pure in release.
It was freedom.
It was beauty,
It was PURPLE.
I've never liked the color much.
Although it depicts royalty, I've often thought it too much for me.
But this morning, its rays are still tickling my arms, dancing in my eyesight, and brushing across my face.
And just as I begin to turn my attention and thoughts toward my God to start my day...
I am well aware of his presence......
and today, ironically.....
it is...
the color... PURPLE.
Kelli Brownlee~2008
