“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.” ~ Henry Van Dyke, 1852 – 1933, American Author, Educator and Clergyman
“In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.” ~ Mark Twain, 1835 – 1910, American Author and Humorist
Hmmm, is spring reluctant to arrive this year or is it just making a point about its independence?
Spring officially arrived this week by virtue of our predefined date on the calendar. But as Henry Van Dyke and Mark Twain express, each in their own distinctive voice, nature is not inclined to conform to our expectations. In fact, where I live it responded with a light snowfall last night to assert its right to arrive on its own schedule.
In recent years, we have become accustomed in this part of the country to mild winters with only occasional bursts of nasty weather. But this has been a throwback winter that calls up memories of my childhood years when winter took hold in November and did not relent until April.
“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.” ~ Bernard Williams, 1929 – 2003, English Philosopher
Normally around this time, I would be inclined to wax poetic about the virtues of spring. I feel the compulsion to do so now but the inspiration is rather lacking. Instead, I am struck by how much the weather influences our state of mind. No matter if we are an outdoor person or not, our emotions ebb and flow with the vicissitudes of Mother Nature.
This seems truer when it comes to spring than any other season. It symbolizes hope, renewal and rebirth at almost subterranean level of our psyche reminding us that we are intricately and indelibly connected to the world in which we live.
“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.” ~ George Santayana, 1863 – 1952, Spanish-American Philosopher, Poet and Novelist
I see the wisdom in this tidbit of advice. And there are times when I can take it to heart – like mid-September days when my senses pick up subtle intonations that autumn is around the corner. But I doubt I will ever be able to talk myself out of my love affair with spring.
It has much to do with being a birdwatcher and feeling the excitement rise within me as I anticipate the return of my feathered friends from their wintering grounds. I hibernate in winter and revive with the first call of the Killdeer when the weather breaks.
And so, I will bide my time impatiently in the coming days as reluctant spring peeks through the shroud of winter and chooses the day it will officially unfurl its wings. I am a creature of nature and spring will forever be my metaphor for awakening and revival. For better or for worse, I am wedded to spring and ever shall be.
“One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of March thaw, is the Spring.” ~ Aldo Leopold, 1887 – 1948, American Author, Scientist and Ecologist
~ Michael Robert Dyet is the author of “Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel” – double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog.
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Tags: Aldo Leopold · Bernard Williams · George Santayana · Henry Van Dyke · Mark Twain · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · springNo Comments