A Light Exists in Spring

Drip, drop, drop little April shower

Apr 04, 2024

It's been nearly a month since I've written anything on here; I apologize for the unexpected pause, but the good news is that I'm finally back. I don't have a solid explanation for being absent, other than a lack of desire and creativity. It's been pouring in New York for the past several days. The windy rain falling horizontally and striking me in the face rather than my damaged umbrella. Apart from that, I don't hate the rain and think I enjoy it actually. I am fond of the sound of rain falling at night, especially when combined with thunder.

When the spring season arrives, it feels like a second chance to begin the year with a whole new point of view. Perhaps this is why I prefer the transitional seasons, such as spring and autumn. The seasons pass by in the blink of an eye if I don't pay careful enough attention. I love the still-ness both spring and fall own , where it’s not begging for my attention like summer and winter. Perhaps I'm biased because I was born in the spring to a mother born on March 20 (the first day of spring).

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things on this substack, so please enjoy this brief and random newsletter this week. Happy spring everyone!

I believe there are some types of people that have an opinion about Éric Rohmer, such as claiming that his work is "like watching paint dry" or you were a girl on Tumblr who saw movie stills from La Collectionneuse and made those her entire personality. You can guarantee I was the girl who reblogged every single image. From there, I immediately got enamored with his works from my teens to my early twenties, as I grew more intrigued in French cinema. I would say my top favorites from Rohmer are Chloe in the Afternoon and The Green Ray (to me the ultimate summertime sad movie).

His work has always and continues to resonate with me, particularly his style, which includes an absence of music, the protagonists' lived-in messy home interior, and lengthy conversations between intellectuals. I still find myself referencing his style whenever I get dressed or interact with my own living space, especially now that spring has here.

A unkempt tablescape of white tulips and stale bread in *A Tale Of Springtime* (1990)

*Rohmer’s filming process - World Film Directors Volume II 1945-1985*

When I see a Rohmer film, I imagine long walks in the park during the quiet and warm season while reading a book on philosophy by either Plato or Kant. A usual rewatch of mines with spring awakening is The Tale of Spring from Rohmer’s series,Tales of the Four Seasons. The series is a collection of stories that some way relate to the specific seasons both in terms of setting but also the theme.

**Out with the old** – *A Tale Of Springtime* (1990)

**In with the new** – *A Tale Of Springtime* (1990)

The Tale of Spring is about a philosophy teacher Jeanne and a young pianist Natacha who meet at a party and soon become good friends. Jeanne who shares an apartment with her messy boyfriend starts staying at Natacha’s while her father is out of town. Very quickly Jeanne discovers that Natacha has ulterior motives: she wants to set Jeanne up with her father, Igor. This one is always a great way to start the season.

*World Film Directors Volume II 1945-198*

A Light exists in Spring
Not present on the Year
At any other period —
When March is scarcely here

- A Light Exists in Spring by Emily Dickinson, 1834

I first read, A Light Exists in Spring by Emily Dickinson last year and I still think about it to this day. Dickinson described such light as a peculiar occurrence that only comes up in the early spring. A special light that illuminates the furthest limits of landscapes. A light that wishes to tell us something yet vanishes quickly, leaving those who see it with an overwhelming feeling of loss. Spring is for observers and sentimentalists, people who notice every single beautiful detail. And I love that about it.