Prompt: “One night is as dark as the rest”
One night is as dark as the next, or it would be if the planet did not so coyfully tilt its head – and no seasons would bless us with tangible change.
When I was young, I was oblivious to seasons even though one moment Dad was fumbling with Christmas lights and another moment fumbling and cursing at the sprinkler system. For me, one night was as dark as the next. Each day blended into each other. At that time, I was too young to pocket seasons for future reference or exploit seasons as a topic of conversation. My world barely extended beyond my little girlhood drama.
Now, decades later, I am emotionally invested in the small traditions seasons inspire in us. What would life be like without the ebb and flow of light throughout the year? Life without spring surely would have starved us of ee cummings and in winter would deprive us of colorful well-lit homes and the quiet of a snowy landscape. Without summer, we’d lose the freshness of Beach Boys harmonics, fad diets, and excuses for rest. Without the fall, we’d lose crisp air, the grace of trees baring all, oaks painted yellow and maple trees orange.
I’m so happy the planet tilts just enough it give nice distinct phases so we can live in four ways and exist in different shades. So we can fill awkward silences with the one conversation no one tires of:
”Is winter beginning to blow through?”
“Wow, I love when strawberries are in season!”
“It’s so hot!”
We praise, we complain and we are thankful for how it consumers our time.
Life without seasons is a straight line instead of a circle. It is one mode, like living life without highs and lows. What would we be? What would I be?
