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.
Although our local weather has not, so far, demonstrated the instability patterns of folklore, this month and those leading to it, have currently and historically, not been so calm. 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. April 2021 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 an April storm, it is often difficult to persevere toward May flowers when that hope is based on potential rather than actual. In the winds of April change and upheaval, the tempest of the moment sings a siren song of deception, leading to despicable, irrational and self-centered acts that target counterfeit monsters.
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 malace to our lengthy pre-April 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 that April showers will bring May flowers, the lyrics of the song written by Arthur Freed and composed by Nacio Herb Brown, can resonate with truth and justice 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