Mary Oliver's essay "The Perfect Days" takes a good look at the way weather interests us humans, and how it affects us. In Oliver's poetic way, she describes her own preference in weather, which is "in the smallest quantities. A drop will do" (32). The thing is, Oliver explains, that small bits of weather do not interest people. They want cyclones, thrilling tales of mounatain ascent. In the second part of the essay, Oliver recounts a personal story. She arrived in a large patch of sunlight during a walk, and was overcome by "a seizure of happiness. It was not the drowning sort of happiness, rather the floating sort" (33). She continues to describe the feeling, how at peace she was, how she didn't feel the need to be somewhere, how she experienced intense awareness. This moment has carried over to the rest of her life, and has stayed with her for years, although it was a long time ago. But, Oliver assures us, it wasn't a loud moment. It wasn't a strong epiphany, it was simply there.
At the end of the essay, Oliver ties everything together. One of the most influential moments of her life was all thanks to the weather. Yet it wasn't a life-altering summit, or a hurricane survivor story. She reminds us that although it may not be dramatic, or epic in any way, a small patch of sunlight could make your day. Maybe even make you a better person.
I noted, as I read, that Oliver mentioned a wind god named Aeolus. The name sounded like something right out of a work by Homer, so I looked it up on Wikipedia. It turns out this Aeolus character is, in fact, from Greek mythology. But beyond this surface layer connection, the mentions of powerful storms in the essay reminded me of The Odyssey. Poseidon sends a great storm in Odysseus' path while Odysseus is attempting to sail home from Calypso's island. The storm sends Odysseus far off course and he lands in Scheria. I got to thinking that although had this not have happened, Odysseus would have gotten home and the story would be loads shorter, there was a calmer moment that had an even greater effect on the hero. This is when he finally wakes up on his homeland Ithaca, after being dropped off by the Phaeacians. It is a beautiful day, and Odysseus is so happy to be home he literally kisses the ground. This small, happy moment has affected him more personally than a great big storm ever could've.
Personally, I loved this essay, and definitely recommend it. At least, to anyone who enjoys poetic prose. It reminded me of a backpacking trip I went on, specifically one moment atop a bluff in Isle Royale. We had just hiked up a steep hill under in a dark shade, and I was feeling a little dismal. Then I stepped out on to the small prarie that covered the top of the hill. Sun, prairie grasses, wind. I can't describe it or I'll completely butcher my memory of it. But in that moment, I was so plainly content to be right where I was, doing exactly what I was doing. Mary Oliver was right. It was "a seizure of happiness" (33).
Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Books, 1996.
Oliver, Mary. "The Perfect Days." Long Life: essays and other writings. Cambridge: Da Capo, 2004. 32-34.
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I agree on how much influence weather can have on human emotions. I have an experience similar to the one on your backpacking trip. I went kayaking in Georgian Bay for three weeks and it rained almost everyday. Before entering the Bay, we had to paddle through a series of channels, and as we exited our last channel into the Bay itself, the scenery was gorgeous. The sun was shining and making all the colors leap out and the water was sparkling. It was beautiful. I had been in a bad mood, but entering the Bay and seeing such amazing sights was so uplifting.
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