over the rainbow

Despite, or perhaps because of, a rather grey day in Berlin I find my thoughts turning to rainbows. Putting myself in Black Elk’s shoes, I turn to my best friend, and as he speaks of understanding I look up and see a rainbow of possibilities leap with flames of many colours over me. In moments like these where my mind and heart burst with the impossible beauty of life, I can only echo Paul Cezanne’s paradox that we live in a rainbow of chaos.

“Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?”

Listen to Ingrid Michaelson’s beautiful rendition of this classic.