Uncharacteristically wet morning in late June, more than drizzle but less than rain.
Beyond the wall of windows in the great room: expected coastal fog but with asphalt roads visibly soaked enough to preclude my comfortably taking a morning bike ride. Seattle riders wouldn't think twice, but it takes so little to stop a Californian.
I am reading the poet Elizabeth Alexander's memoir, beginning with the days leading up to the death of her husband, an Eritrean artist, chef and restaurateur. Their love for one another is stirring and beautifully rendered, her imminent loss immense.
My wife joins me for breakfast. A strong ray of sunlight pierces the fog and illuminates the dining room, interrupting our morning chatter.
The physics of rain + sunlight causes me to momentarily rise from the table and search every south and west-facing window. Nothing.
Seconds before the shaft of sunlight recedes I announce melodramatically:
I can only conclude that we are living within the rainbow.
She smiles her response in a way that I always want to remember.
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Comments 4
What’s it like in a rainbow? I’ve lived in many hurricanes. They have physics also. Always one word: KINETIC Cat 4? KINETIC^2
A beautiful story CD
I love Elizabeth Alexander. I “met” her in this podcast: https://onbeing.org/programs/elizabeth-alexander-words-that-shimmer/
I’m so sorry to hear that her husband died. I’ll have to buy her book, _The Light of the World_.
“Ars Poetica #100: I Believe” is extremely powerful, and her words on community are so relevant right now: “Which to me isn’t about, “oh, I like her shoes,” or “oh, he has a fascinating job.” It’s much deeper than that. Are human beings who are in community, do we call to each other? Do we heed each other? Do we want to know each other? And I think reaching across what can be a huge void between human beings.”
Author
Melissa,
It’s clear from her memoir that her family, chosen and inherited, was a crucial source of delight for her family when her husband was alive and a critical support to her after his untimely death. A lot to consider when we feel more isolated from our community than ever.
I look forward to checking out the podcast, thanks for the recommendation.
Fondly,
CD
That is so touching.