It’s the beginning of March here in the Northeastern US. March is as fickle as any month, probably more so, meteorologically speaking. One day rain, the next snow, or even freezing rain. It could be 60 degrees or 12. The sun was out today, always a welcome sight, and breezing past me on a local road was a car with its top down. A quick glance at my dashboard revealed the temperature was 39 degrees. Brrr!
March sun is diffused. It’s recharging and getting ready for the splendor that is summer. My mind thinks of it as watery. Sort of a negative term implying something isn’t full strength, not giving its all. I see it as somewhat positive, almost like revving an engine in preparation for peeling out (is that still a term?). The sun is doing its best, it’s just somewhat hampered by sun angle, planet alignment, our unforgivable sins, Poor Richard’s Almanac, or whatever silly reason one might use. There’s the real trick. See it as YOU wish to see it.
It’s a hint of “the best is yet to come.” It’s a hint of future splendor in the grass. It’s a hint of hopefulness. Now, Edgar Allen Poe was not considered a writer who inspired hope. However, it’s all about how you wish to see his work. Tragic, yes. Depressing, much of the time. Passionate, always. Remember that passion doesn’t just refer to physical love/lust/desire. Passion is about strength of feeling in many different ways.
I’ve always loved reading Poe. His feelings are omnipresent in most any of his works, especially his poetry. “You call it hope—-/that fire of fire!/It is but agony of desire.” This is a line from Poe’s poem “Tamerlane.” Individuals may interpret this many different ways. I choose to think that desire doesn’t always have to end up in agony. For me the passion of spring changing to summer may lead to less than stellar feelings but I keep that in perspective so as not to be dismayed when things don’t go so well.
Watery sunshine may be perceived as weak, filtered, not full-strength. I choose to see it as a glimmer of promise. It’s similar to the thought process prior to making a decision. The watery sun may be construed as indecisiveness. Each of us has experienced that in life.
“I understand about indecision/But I don’t care if I get behind/People livin’ in competition/All I want is to have my peace of mind.” “Peace of Mind”. Boston. Hence, the watery sun should take its time to unravel itself. It may not shine as nicely as people would like but it will do it in its own time.
Another moody song I like when I’m feeling mystical, nostalgic, confused, is “Harbor Lights” by Boz Scaggs. Boz has a voice that can sound like he’s sung in too many smoky bars. It’s raspy, a little nasal, bittersweet. All like the watery sun or its cohort, the filtered moon. “Sailing shadows reds and blues/Curtains drawn but I saw through/The window to your soul And I found you.” We can muddle through the watery sun. There’s hope on the horizon. If we choose to see it.
Stories Are For Eternity 