Melancholy or Adventure

But when the melancholy fit shall fall
Sudden from heaven like a weeping cloud,
That fosters the droop-headed flowers all,
And hides the green hill in an April shroud;
Then glut thy sorrow on a morning rose,
Or on the rainbow of the salt sand-wave,
Or on the wealth of globed peonies; . . .           Ode On Melancholy by John Keats

It’s that time of year for me, a little melancholy attached to the anticipation of new adventure.  I think that all comes from years of teaching.  August brings the end of summer, then end of unscheduled time, the end of hot sun, the end of warm weather activities and a sense of moving into another stage of life.  As the air crisps and crunches around mid-day warmth, I find myself ready to move beyond the ties of summer to find what’s waiting for me.  That too comes from the years of school and teaching.  Fall always brought adventure: new teachers, moving away from home to college, new classes, new schools, new students.  The season offers imagination and a fresh start each year.  

I like the opportunity to begin again.  As a kid I picked a college far from home in order to begin again without any old patterns to hold on to.  Being a teacher stretched that throughout my adult life.  I began each new year with anticipation of finding the next best way to help students find joy in learning.  

Now I see the coming of fall as new adventure again.  I get to let go of responsibility to my summer plants and gardens.  I am able to enjoy the warmth of the days and the chill of the nights without worry.  I begin planning trips out of town and camping.  I begin new projects.  I have time again to write.  I focus on the beauty of the day.  I quit wondering if the killing frost will come today.  I anticipate the newness each day brings.  

As melancholy tentacles try to slither between my emotions, the excitement of new adventure pinches those wriggling worms and pushes them back into submission to rest dormant until next year or at least until the next season peaks around the corner.