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A common saying, “April showers bring May flowers” is based on the beginning of spring when, for many areas, weather patterns shift. Known as a stormy month, movement of the jet stream causes atmospheric instability and conditions favorable to unsettled weather. Tracing its origins, this observation is nothing new. It appears as a poem “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry” by Thomas Tusser in 1157 – “Sweet April showers Do spring May flowers”. Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales of the fourteenth century offers a similar thought.
This year, our local weather has demonstrated the instability patterns of folklore. This month of May, and those leading to it, have currently and historically, been unsettled. The great national divide of the Civil War began April 12, 1861 when Fort Sumter in South Carolina was attacked by the Confederate States of America. Four years later, with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox April 9, 1865 and General Joseph Johnston’s surrender April 26th, the war, in effect, ended. Sporadic conflicts continued until a formal cessation of hostilities in 1866.
In a current context, centuries of discord have sown seeds of divisive fear, hostility and recently, outright insurrection. Adding to the political chaos of prior federal instability and rejection of fundamental human rights, is a legacy and collision of our country’s struggles between morality, principles and reality – civil war, foreign wars, immigration and ideals outlined in the United States Declaration of Independence: “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.
Often emotional content overwhelms practical, realistic and reasoned consideration of persons and events. May 2023 is a month of transition and, just as the poem projects, should give way to future peaceful tranquility and promise. However, when in the midst of waiting for turbulence to end, it is often difficult to persevere when that hope is based on potential rather than actual.
Generalizations based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, occupation or any other categorization are a short-sighted and diversionary excuse to place blame for personal ills or misfortune. In this context, it is understandable but inexcusable to react with malice to our lengthy trials and tribulations. Worries of a pandemic, economic instability, social injustice and environmental challenges combined with a misinformed agenda of responsibility placed solely on “others” is unproductive, divisive and cruel no matter how skillfully defined. Jingoist, racist and misogynist behavior is not only unacceptable, but morally irresponsible.
I am not suggesting a 1952 Gene Kelly, “Singing in the Rain” scenario. Dancing without protection in a downpour is bit too optimistic but, with an umbrella for protection and assurance of May flowers, the lyrics of the song written by Arthur Freed and composed by Nacio Herb Brown, can resonate for all of us.
I’m laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun’s in my heart
And I’m ready for love
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