Barbara Alden
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
Christina Rossetti
October is at the very heart of autumn, which Keats famously described as “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” However, this month’s Literary Hour (in the church as usual), will focus less on the mellow and rather more on the dramatic, occasionally violent aspects of the Wind, together with a variety of weather conditions, both literal and symbolic, as expressed through poetry, prose, mythology, folklore – and more.
In classical Greek mythology, the individual characteristics of the different winds were identified with different gods, and of course the bible is not short of powerful things to say about the destructive forces of the wind.
Changes in weather conditions have also long been associated with changes in human mood and emotion; this parallel naturally offers a rich source, both for poetic metaphor and wildly turbulent prose.
So, the likely conditions forecast for our programme are:
Winds light to moderate, to gale force; changeable;
violent storms, occasional rain, fog and snow; Poor.
But it won’t be all doom and gloom! Gentle breezes will also waft in, bringing some light-hearted verse, even some singing, with:
Occasional blue sky; Fair to Good.
… though a watchful eye will still be kept on the barometric pressure!
Looking to the long range forecast:
Metaphorical clouds will finally lift
And the literary skies will clear –
Tea and coffee will appear!
So you certainly won’t be cast adrift …
Though an umbrella may not go amiss!