This seems to have been the darkest December, some days it hardly seemed to get light at all. Low cloud, constant rain, all seemed grey and wet. But you can't stay indoors all the time so on some of the dullest and wettest of days I have gone out to see what there is to see - and have been surprised. When there is very little natural light from the sun, and all is wet and soggy, I have found puddles of reflected light. Sometimes they distort the world around, but even the muddiest of puddles has a pattern, shape and form. A piece of abstract art ? No, try again. It was pouring with rain (again), and this was a puddle outside the back door reflecting the pattern of a patio chair. Here's another - The dark pattern that disects the puddle is the roof outline of my house. So , you get the idea. Looking at puddles shows the world in a different way. Of course the constant rain has not been welcome, there have been awful floods in several parts of the country which have done a huge amount of damage to homes, businesses and farm land. Our garden is so soggy you cannot walk on it. This is the weather the shepherd shuns, And so do I : When beeches drip in browns and duns, And thresh and ply; And hill-hid tides throb, throe on throe, And meadow rivulets overflow, And drops on gate-bars hang in a row, And rooks in families homeward go, And so do I. The second verse of Thomas Hardy's poem "Weathers". [1840 - 1928] Down here on the flat lands of the Vale of York water moves slowly, unlike in the upper dales where it rushes away at great speed. We live on the side of the town called Claypenny, and this is reflected in the sodden, heavy soil. It makes your boots heavy, clogs up your garden tools, and every footstep goes "squelch". This is just two minutes from my house. The farmer has got some cereals sown, but there will be bare patches in the field where the wet holes have prevented germination. But I took this picture because it was such a very dark day but the puddles reflected what little light there was. And when you looked, really looked, at the same puddles in the gateway to the field you could see a reflection of the hedge, upside down. James Elroy Flecker [1884 - 1915] wrote the poem "A ship, an isle, a sickle moon" which is about reflections. He sees these reflected in the sea, distorted by the movement of the water. A ship, an isle, a sickle moon - With few but with how splendid stars The mirrors of the sea are strewn Between their silver bars. There have been too many days when it has been just too awful to take the children out, but when the sky has lifted a little there are ponds nearby with these reflections. The smallest child, who is only just beginning to try and talk (very late) can attempt to sing "Rain, rain go away, come again another day. " This poem is called "November skies" by John Freeman [1880 - 1929]. .... The clouds are deep - Into their grey, the subtle spies of colour creep, Changing that high austerity to delight Till even the leaden interfolds are bright ..... ...... The huge great clouds move slowly, gently, as Reluctant the quick sun should shine in vain, Holding in bright caprice their rain ..... " Earth puts her colours by, And veils her in one whispering cloak of shadow; Green goes from the meadow, Red leaves and flowers and shining pools are shrouded; A few stars sail upon a windy sky, And the moon is clouded. The first verse of "Envoi" bt PHB Lyon [1893 - 1986] quite sums up this monochrome month. [more about Percy Lyon in November 2018 blog] So it is no wonder that in the darkest, shortest days, so many want to put up sparkling, twinkling lights that give us hope and brighten up our lives. The Christmas lights in York are lovely, not too gaudy, just twinkly enough to bring a smile to your face. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree / Thou tree most fair and lovely /The sight of thee at Christmastide / Spreads hope and gladness far and wide/ O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree / Thou tree most fair and lovely. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree/ Thou hast a wondrous message/ Thou dost proclaim the Saviour's birth/ Good will to men and peace on earth/ O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree/ Thou hast a wondrous message. Little by little the days will get longer, the light will get stronger, the sky brighter and the sun warmer, but meanwhile, look for light in unexpected places, and you will find it reflected in the dreariest of puddles to give us extra light. And what is reflected here ? Hint - there are the toes of two wellington boots ...... Happy New Year to you all !
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AuthorThis is where you can share creativity with me. I believe that everyone has something creative within them, and it is a joy to find ways of being creative. Blogging is NEW to me, so here goes ..... Archives
January 2024
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