A Different Blue

by Amy Harmon

What we believe affects our choices, our actions, and subsequently, our lives.

‘Life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.’

“From childhood’s hour I have not been as others were; I have not seen as others saw; I could not bring my passions from a common spring,”

“From childhood’s hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring. From the same source I have not taken My sorrow; I could not awaken My heart to joy at the same tone.”

“And all I loved, I loved alone. Then—in my childhood, in the dawn of a most stormy life—was drawn from every depth of good and ill, the mystery which binds me still.”

“I keep wishing you had had a better life . . . a different life. But a different life would have made you a different Blue.” He looked at me then. “And that would be the biggest tragedy of all.”

“He told me not to worry. He said, ‘Women cry. If she’s crying over you, she still loves you.’” Wilson tried to mimic the shaky voice of the old man. He looked at me and grinned playfully. “He said I should only worry when you stop.”

“Someone told me once that to create true art you must be willing to bleed and let others watch.”