There is something lonely about driving home from work this time of year. Work is, for me, a pretty lonely place in itself, so I spend the long day looking forward to going home. Then when I actually do go home, sunset arrives within minutes and the gray and dead grass landscape takes on the shades of twilight. I drive through town looking for comfort in the lights; if I stop at the grocery store maybe I see someone I know, maybe the guy who has bagged my groceries for seven years now, who has watched my kids grow up, the guy who will yell hello from across the parking lot. He does not know, some days I live for that kind of friendliness, and I am grateful that he gives it so freely.
I arrive home as the last of the light fades, greeted by the welcoming lights of the house and a fire in the wood stove. But I sit in the car for another minute or two because there is a song on the radio, an orchestral piece for which I once played the essential flute part. Faure's Pavane. I have had part of this tune in my head for a while now, and I am glad to finally hear the whole thing again!
Darkness falls so early in November. I retreat quickly to comfort, to pajamas and my rocking chair by the wood stove and flannel sheets. It's the longest time until spring, and for now we must seek warmth and light and the company of others.
5 comments:
Well, you have my virtual company anyway.
I listened to Faure's Requiem on the way down to the woods Sunday for the difficult business I had there.
It must be the time of year. All of us nature bloggers are more or less bemoaning the early darkness, too. I suspect we'll get over it soon. I hope so. It's a tough adjustment each year, isn't it? Of is it that the adjustment to the darkness gets tougher each year?
Carolyn h.
Pablo- and your virtual company is very much appreciated. :)
Carolyn- I just read a post of mine from a couple years ago in November, and back then I was moaning about how November just made me want to crawl under the covers indoors. I think many of us tend to get more introspective this time of year, maybe because we don't spend as much time outdoors!
This was beautifully written. It really resonated, and not just because I too am struggling with the long, dark winter in front of us. You really nailed it.
Greg- Thank you. Funny how the older I get, the more I respond to day length. And the longer I've lived here, the closer I can tell the time of year just by the feel of the landscape.
Post a Comment