Winter

Entry posted by Scourge January 30, 2014

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Like many of you, I live in a part of the world that is experiencing record low temperatures this winter. We've had an abnormal amount of wind here, and quite often that has knocked out internet access, power, or drifted the roads over. None of those things phase me too much, after all, living in relative isolation from other households, one prepares for these events. Driving isn't a problem, even in my little coupe, unless the other drivers make it one. There is plenty of gas for the generator, and plenty of food in the pantry.

It's easy during this time of year to become even more isolated than one already was. No one wants to venture out into subzero wind chills and interact with humanity. Hell, I don't even like interacting with humanity in the summer time. Summer, when instead of cursing the wind, one revels in the cool comfort as it wraps around them. Eventually our desire for human contact takes over, as mine did, and instead of the relative comfort of home one finds themselves trekking again out into the wintery abyss.

My journey took me to see a film, Gimme Shelter, starring Vanessa Hudgens. You can follow the link to view the trailer, or to learn more about the film. For me, it was the perfect winter movie: dark, raw, emotional. I was brought to tears throughout the film. That was awkward, given that the only other patrons were a young couple, doing things young couples do in movies. But I'm getting sidetracked; what I mean to tell you is that this movie is perfect viewing for those of us who lose humanity over the winter months. Be prepared, however, to have it all come flooding back.

One last thing to share with you all, and that is a poem I found. While I'm taking it from The Pocket Book of Verse (1956 New York, N.Y.) it most certainly did not appear there first. Thus, someone with a more complete library than the meager collection of used and discount books that I have collected over the years may be able to piece together a more complete edition. I suppose I could just Google it, but where is the fun in that?

Blow, blow, thou winter wind!

Thou art not so unkind

As man's ingratitude;

Thy tooth is not so keen,

Because thou art not seen,

Although thy breath be rude.

Heigh ho! sing, heigh ho! unto the green holly:

Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:

Then, heigh ho, the holly!

This life is most jolly.

Freeze, Freeze, thou bitter sky!

That dost not bite so nigh

As benefits forgot;

Though thou the waters warp,

Thy sting is not so sharp

As friend remembered not.

Heigh ho! sing, heigh ho!.

-Shakespeare

(from As You Like It)