UNPERFECT*

I could see the yellow in my mind. It covered the walls of the room where I studied abroad in Copenhagen. I would say bedroom, but in reality I ate, slept, drank, studied, cried, laughed all within one room. Time and memory have probably altered it, but my yellow is still clear as day in my mind.

So when I decided to replicate the yellow on a wall in my house, it seemed like quite a task. How would I know if I got it right? Who would verify it? What if my yellow isn't made by the paint companies? Can they color match something that doesn't physically exist?

I knew if I brought home paint swatches or even worse, those tiny sample cans of paint, it would all be derailed. I'd create a rainbow of yellows on a patch of wall and analyze them into oblivion. No, I went to the store, looked at the choices and saw the yellow. Or maybe it wasn't, but now it is on the wall and it is my yellow once again.

*My inner perfectionist made me add this note to say I know this is not a real word. The rest of me is telling her to shush for once.