The moon illuminated trees looked majestic with their snow-laden arms glowing brightly against the deep, dark sky.
It occurred to me that frozen, inhospitable landscapes are often thought beautiful. As are crashing waves, deserts and deep space.
I can understand why clear streams, fine horses, orchards and fine china are appealing. Those things clearly help(ed) us and so why not be fond of them.
As for the frozen landscape, perhaps it's just that we appreciate that once in a while, nature brings everything to a standstill. No birds are flitting, no wind is blowing, nothing is walking. The complexity of life is reduced to a still canvas. Is it just that this stillness is a relief to our senses, which see so many chaotic hours and so few still ones?
2 comments :
I kept the draperies open all night so if I woke up I could see the snow, and pinch myself, too pretty to comprehend in one view. Guess we are related.:)
Well expressed, James. However, if one looks at the good side of things, even a thick blanket of snow has its benefits. For example, the anonymity which it provides to the silver fox and the ptarmigan; the warmth it provides by insulating the delicate bulbs and plants buried deep beneath the frosty surface; the fresh drink it provides the forest in the Spring when it is time for the trees to begin a new season of growth.
Yes and the quiet solitude it gives us as we sit in the woods and watch the flakes come slowly drifting down.
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