Parapluie

In French, the word for umbrella is parapluie, or “for the rain,” as in Spanish it is paraguas, or “for the waters.”  (Though I learned in conversation just now that paraguas are for men, while women have daintier sombrillas.)

There are many things I’d offer up as my parapluies—not against the rain, but for the rain; ways of getting on within the rain; things made brighter because of the rain.

• The purple iris in the garden, drenched and dripping wet.

• This morning’s croissant with drenched-purple olallieberry preserves.

• The dinner I’ll make tonight, spicy Moroccan pork with apricot and pistachio cous-cous.

• A good mystery novel.

• A black cashmere sweater and silver bracelet inscribed with a sonnet.

• A snuggly Labrador Retriever, sleeping in a curl.

• A pot of Earl Grey tea.

• Oliver Mtukudze’s happy Tuku Music.

• Walking at Hadrian’s Wall in a black rain slicker.

• Writing poems about egrets.


image:  Iris, Derek Ramsey