Poem: The colour of God
Poet : V.B Aakye
What is the Poem about?
In short, “The Colour of God” is a poem which seeks to disagree with anyone who thinks that God only belongs to their geographical location and race.
Table of Contents
The colour of God
Who ever painted God white He must be black, says the black man Of course not! He's got to be green, quipped the green man But that cannot be. He must be red, assured the red one How wrong you all are He sure is blue, vows the blue one How silly man is, laughs the rose Why should he be black or white Or green or yellow or even red? Of course He is all these and more Can't you see? He is Even rose and emerald, yeah, And damask and aquamarine If you doubt me ask the rainbow!
Line by line explanation and commentary
Line 1 to 4 analysis
“Who ever painted God white
He must be black, says the black man
Of course not! He’s got to be green,
quipped the green man“
The first line seeks to ask a question about why colour “white” has been associated with God. Even in our imagination and on mainstream media, God is always represented or associated with the colour white.
The black man in his attempt to claim superiority argues that the colour of God is black.
There is an Akan saying which states that, ” nobody uses their left finger to point towards their hometown-meaning everyone wishes good things for themselves.
Since the blue man also wants to associate with God, he also claims that the colour of God is green.
Line 5 to 8 analysis
“But that cannot be. He must
be red, assured the red one
How wrong you all are
He sure is blue, vows the blue one“
The poet uses different colours to show differences in character and behaviour of people around the world.
Even the red one is convinced that God’s colour is red while the blue one vows that God is blue even though he has no proof.
This argument is characteristic of how some individuals use racial and tribal discrimination to cause division and chaos.
Line 9 to 11 analysis
“How silly man is, laughs the rose
Why should he be black or white
Or green or yellow or even red?”
Having sat back heard the whole argument, the rose calls man silly. The mention of “man” by the rose shows the reader that the colours are not mere colours but a depiction of the variety in the human race.
The rose sees no point in the arguments raised by the colours. The rhetorical question asked by the rose seeks to claim it is unnecessary to waste time on the argument. Is this even worth discussing when no one has seen God? And why does everyone think that God finds them special than their fellow?
Line 12 to 14 analysis
“Of course He is all these and more
Can’t you see? He is
Even rose and emerald, yeah,
And damask and aquamarine“
The rose goes on to put its point across. It asserts that God is all of these and even more than they care to imagine.
Relating this to our human experience, there are various groups of individuals around the world with variety in culture, religion, backgrounds, behaviours, values, morals and customs.
The poet’s use of the rose as a mouthpiece is not a coincidence.This is because, the rose itself is a flower that can possess different colours and varieties.
Emerald is also mentioned by the rose to further help the others to become open minded about the possibilities of the nature of God.
Line 15 and 16 analysis
“And damask and aquamarine
If you doubt me ask the rainbow!“
In these lines, the rose goes on to suggest even more colours to help the others see that God is bigger than what they had imagined.
In line 15, damask and aquamarine may not be regular colours but were also created by God suggesting the complexity of the nature of the creator.
The mention of rainbow in the last line wraps up the points raised by the rose. The rainbow here symbolises togetherness and diversity.
Thus, even though the rainbow has different colours, they all live together in harmony. It seems to suggest that in Spite of our differences, it is possible for mankind to live happily as one in harmony just like the rainbow 🌈
End of poem
Themes in the poem
- Humankind needs to accept each other irrespective of racial or religious differences.
- Humans cannot comprehend God in their own narrow mentality.
- God is not limited to a single colour but represents different characteristics and personalities.
- God does not belong to a particular geographical area or race.
Form and structure of the poem
The poem is a free verse with 16 lines. There is absence of rhymes or any stanzas.
The poem begins with different types of colours trying to show their dominance by aligning themselves with God at the expense of the others. The arguments are made in a line or two.
However, the rose who is depicted as the hero among the colours was given more lines than any other character to make it’s argument. At the end of the poem, it seeks to bring all the other colours into harmony and enlightenment.
In short, the poem uses colours and inanimate objects to represent different people arguing about the personality and character of God.
Diction
The diction used in the poem is very simple and easily to understand.
Expressions such as, “can’t you see”, “of course not”, and “how wrong you all are”, brings out the argumentative style used by the poet.
Also, the choice of character names such as rose, red, blue, green, aquamarine, rainbow and damask enables a reader to appreciate the depiction of the imagery of colours.
Tone and Mood
- Argumentative
- Conversational
Literary devices in the poem
Personification
The literary device, personification is very dominant in the poem. Here are some examples.
- He must be black, says the black man.
- He must be red, assured the red one.
- Laughs the rose
- If you doubt me, ask the rainbow!
Rhetorical question
A rhetorical question is a question which is asked without expecting an answer. Here are some examples in the poem.
- Why should he be black or white or green or yellow or even red?
- He is all of these and more Can’t you see?
Imagery
The poem appeals to our sense of sight by helping the reader to paint mental pictures. This is achieved by using colours and objects. Here are some examples in the poem.
- And damask and aquamarine
- If you doubt me ask the rainbow!
- Whoever painted God white
- Even rose and emerald, yeah,
Conclusion
The poem makes the reader aware of the need to accept our differences as a people regardless of race, geographical location, ethnic groups or religious backgrounds.
It points out the fact that God has no colour and God is all colours. Therefore, there is no need for people to argue and create division.
The poet challenges us to be open minded and avoid using religion and race to claim God. Thus avoid looking down on others for their background and beliefs about the character and personality of God.
Questions and Answers
1. “Laughs the rose” is an example of
ANS: Personification
2. Who thinks the colour of God is red?
ANS: The red one
3. God is colourless means
ANS: He does not belong to any group of people
4. Name any two literary devices found in the poem
ANS: Personification and Rhetorical question
5. Who vows God’s colour is blue?
ANS: The blue man
6. Name two themes in the poem
ANS: All Humans are equal
ANS: Racism and Division should not be encouraged
ANS: There should be peace and tolerance among people
7. State one moral lesson from the poem
ANS: People should not be judged based on their skin colour but character
8. How many lines are in the poem?
ANS: 16 lines
9. The poem ” the colour of God” was written by
ANS: V.B. Aakye
10. What is the nationality of the poet?
ANS: Ghanaian
11. What is the role of the “rose” in the colour of God?
ANS: The role of the rose is to show and guide the other colours to the truth about the character of God.
12. What image does the mention of rainbow create?
ANS: An image of unity among all people(colours)
13. What is the major theme of the poem colour of God? Support your answer with a line or two from the poem
ANS: Racial and religious discrimination should be avoided.
- Why should be be black or white
- of course He is all of these and more
14. What argument has the poet given to show that God is colourless?
ANS: In the line, “if you doubt me ask the rainbow, the poet encourages us to be open minded by taking a closer look at the multicoloured nature of the rainbow.
Since he does not identify with any particular colour, he is colourless.
15. Why is the content of a person’s character more important than the colour of his skin?
ANS: According to the passage, God sees all colour of people equally and hence, more importance should be given to our character
i would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this poem. Let’s have a discussion below👋
Please, the full name of V.B Aakye
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I am a student in form three and I want to inform you about your good work . I found it difficult understanding this particular poem in the cockcrow but I searched and found your website and quickly I acquired understanding, thanks 😊
Thank you @Gabby..I’m glad this was helpful to you!
Hello, please I’m in Form 1 and what does the rose symbolize or what is it’s role in the poem?
Thanks for the comment @Emily
The role of the rose is to guide the others to the truth.
You can also say that it’s role is to answer the question the poem raises thus, what is the colour of God?
It symbolises wisdom or insight.
I hope this helps
Personification,I do not agree with 1 and 2.Why do you used them as examples of personification?
Thanks for the comment @Obeng. To my understanding, personification is when we give human characteristics to a non-human.
In this case, “He” is used to refer to God who is non-human.
I am a literature student who particularly fancy poetry appreciation and I found this poem ” the color of God” very interesting and didactic. Please keep the good work since disuse numbs the wrist.
@Salifu
It’s interesting to meet people who love poetry and writing.
“Disuse numbs the wrist” is all I needed to hear from you today! You got me thinking and working again
Thank you for your encouraging words!
A very fantastic poem I Love reciting that I kept in my memory 😊 . I like the good work you’re doing thanks 🙏, keep doing it ✅
The poem is a deep one. Thank you too @BabyDoe
Yes
@Lydia, what’s up😊
Please why did the colour black assure God was white?
Hello @Aaron, according to the poem, the black colour assured God was “black” not white. Please feel free to clarify your question if it’s still not answered.
Thank you…
At the beginning of the poem black said, “Who ever painted God white he must be black”. So why did he think God was painted white?
@Aaron, thanks for the clarification. The first line is more of a question not a statement. Notice the poet used “who ever” not “whoever”.
So when it says, “who ever painted God white” it disagrees that God’s colour is white.
It’s like saying, ” who came up with the idea that God’s colour is white?
Also in normal writing, the first line would have to end with a question mark.
I hope this helps.
Ok thanks
1. What is the choice of words in this poem?
2. What is the major issue of conflict(argument) in the poem?
3. List the characters in the poem.
4. State the rhyme scheme of the poem.
5. What is the structure of the poem?
@Welman let me try to answer your questions.
1. The choice of words makes this poem easy to understand because it makes use of simple expressions. Again, the expressions such as, “of course not, can’t you see” etc brings out the argumentative nature of the poem. Another thing to talk about concerning the choice of words is the creation of the imagery of different colours. Words such as aquamarine and damask enables the reader to have an imagery of colours.
2. The major issue or conflict is that each of the colours mentioned is trying to claim superiority over one another instead of celebrating their differences.
3. The characters in the poem are: the black man, the green man, the red one, the blue one, the rose and the rainbow🌈
4. The poem has no rhyme scheme since it’s a free verse.
5. The poem has no stanzas and rhymes. It is a one stanza poem. It also uses short and uneven lines to convey its message.
Thank you very much. But can you kinky clarify the question for me again? I still don’t understand
@Wellman, which particular question are you talking about?
Great work
Please what are the rhyme scheme for Stanza two
Please I really learn a lot from your analyses
Glad to hear🚀
I am Esther in form 3 please what is the structure form of the poem “colour of God”
The poem is a free verse with 16 lines. There is absence of rhymes and it’s a one stanza poem