Silver Salvage

Silver salvage. A colour and a word.

It could have been Polychrome Chaos. Maybe you remember when it would have been, but she’s gone now, leaving behind only a ghost of recall, as elusive as the Internet before social media, when all we had were usenet and chat clients.

I wonder where that woman went. I seem to have forgotten more than she ever knew. Whatever is left of her is kicking over the traces, all pajamas and unruly hair, laughing at jokes I wrote months ago. Was anything real back then? Are we getting better now? Is it safe to leave the house today? How can we be sure?

Does anybody remember what normal means?

Is it a colour or a feeling, this silver I have in mind? I know it when I see it. A metallic, reflective surface. A camouflage between the seen and the unseen, a place where individual and anonymous meet halfway. A suit of shining armor, or a cloak of invisibility. A shimmer.

Silver is currency in the palm of a fortune teller. Salvage my desire to move on, taking what I need with me.

This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

14 Comments

  • Helena replied 2 years ago

    Approprio, beautifully written reflection. When I saw your title my mind went straight to upcycled jewellery ... Making something new and beautiful out of something deemed discardable ... I hope your journey finding you taking what's led you to this point and making something new and beautiful for yourself!!

  • avicennia replied 2 years ago

    Silver might also be my color this year — my word, still not sure. FYI when I first read the title of your post I thought it said “Silver Savage.”

  • rachylou replied 2 years ago

    Interesting choices!

    Also: Wilhelmina Baird :)

  • slim cat replied 2 years ago

    Interesting! I actually misread "Silver Savage" like @avicennia that sounded pretty intriguing as well. 

  • Angie replied 2 years ago

    These words and reflections work beautifully for you, Rio! Thanks for the poetic prose, and wishing you luck on your journey :)

    Do you also have to get your head around the fact that it's 2022?  I'm still saying 2020.....as if time stood still....

  • LaPed replied 2 years ago

    Lovely read, thank you. "I seem to have forgotten more than she ever knew" really strikes a chord.  

  • Janet replied 2 years ago

    Lovely! Of course I love the silver, and the appeal of “salvage” speaks to me as well.

  • Irina replied 2 years ago

    A shimmer… of color and hope.
    Best of luck in 2022 (feels weird to type the number)

  • Suz replied 2 years ago

    Beautifully written and oh-so-easy to relate to. Silver is of course one of my absolute favourites, for all the reasons you specify, and the idea of "salvage" is powerful. 

  • approprio replied 2 years ago

    Thanks all, for indulging my poetic impulses. It could have been purple (for the prose and a very comforting fleece) but the reversible silver bomber is a shop-the-closet hero this winter. I love it when I can turn a garment inside out and make it feel like new.

    Thanks Angie, for the inspiration too. Yes, it absolutely feels like we are marking time right now. Irina, I know! Still partying like it’s 2018 here. 

    Rachylou
    , thanks for the tip. Not familiar with her work, but she looks like one of my tribe. Will add her to the never-ending reading list. 

    LaP: for reasons that are beyond me, the saying is supposed to denote some sort of superpower. For amnesiacs. Huh. 

    Avicenna, slim cat, Savage would also work, I suppose. Mauve Fauve? Eh, maybe not. 

    Helena, Janet, that thing about jewelry and found objects… Need to ponder the symbolism there. 

    Suz, I was looking for something that signified the process of recovery and renewal. We all need some of that right now. 

  • Jaime replied 2 years ago

    Perhaps it is not really the place to mention this, but I have been waiting for the apocalypse since I was around 8. As far as I am concerned, and as terrible as this pandemic is, it could be much worse. Anyway, silver is also excellent to shine light into your opponent's eyes - all the better to see or blind them! Salvage is my favorite thing to do. Separate the wheat from the chaff, exercise discernment, etc. Ok, yes good idea I will get more coffee now :) .

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Love the word s d color.  Well done.  I also love your finds, especially that black and grey puffer.  Cool silhouette.

  • Bijou replied 2 years ago

    Approprio - I love the idea of silver as a cloak of invisibility or armour to stay strong and to move forward. Perfect for your style!

  • Staysfit replied 2 years ago

    Beautifully stated!  I particularly love the word Salvage.  I’m looking forward to watching you apply these words to your style in 2022.  

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