Roses are red, violets are blue. Uh…really?
Now did it ever occur to you that “violet” is not “blue”? We’ll let that go for a moment. What’s peculiar is that while light blue, pure blue and dark blue are all considered blue, light red, pure red and dark red are, respectively, pink, red and brown. Green, same as blue, is considered green from very light to very dark. So are purple and, uh, violet, for the most part. But although light yellow is still light yellow, dark yellow actually becomes a brownish or greenish color. Light orange hardly looks like orange once it gets into the pastel category, and dark orange also becomes brown. And black? Anything other than pure black is gray until it gets so light it’s white. Interesting how the various hues are perceived differently as they change in value.
Back to the line “violets are blue.” Well, something had to rhyme with “you.”
Someday we’ll argue whether or not black and white are colors. And I’ll tell you the secret to mixing a perfect teal. Oh, and—what’s the simplest, most accurate definition of chartreuse.
But for now, let’s just say:
Roses are red
Violets are blue (not really)
Because you’re here
I appreciate you (really)