There is a quote by the 17th century Japanese Samurai poet, Masahade, which goes as follows:
‘My house burned down, I can now see better, the rising moon.’
So. It seems pretty clear. It’s all about making the best of a situation, finding the silver lining, so to speak. I personally think that if my house had burned down, a clear view of the rising moon would be only a fleeting consolation, perhaps overtaken by more pressing needs such as shelter and clothing. But I am not a poet , whereas Masahade was – to poets such as he a rising silver moon may have been more important.
Yesterday I had a bit of a Blue Monday. The grey weather matched my mood – niggles about a variety of things clumping together to form a single cloud of unease that coloured my day. Nothing earth-shatteringly bad, just one of those days when things seem a little harder than normal – you know what I mean. Adding to my malaise was the fact that sunset came at 3:56pm, four minutes before I was to collect my daughter from school.
So as I forged through the wind and rain and gathering dark to collect her, I was in a reflective mood. Then I walked past a house which had a string of tiny coloured lights twined through the shrubs beside their front door. The lights winked on and off, a welcome sprinkle of colour in the gloom. And they cheered me to no end.
I am a fan of sparkly lights. Of sparkly things, to be honest. Friends refer to me as a magpie, for I am forever collecting coins and stones and shiny shells. I have fairy lights in my garden all year round, small white stars. I would also like to have them inside the house, but am still looking for the right spot. So this time of year makes me very happy.
And that little string of lights reminded me of Masahade’s quote. And now I (respectfully) offer my own version:
‘As the days grow shorter, I have a better view, of the sparkling lights.’
Helen Glynn Jones 
Must have been gloomy Monday as I was gloomy all day. Lets get our Xmas lights sparkling!
Yes, I think there was something in the air yesterday… Let’s get our lights sparkling today 🙂 xx
I’m glad your day got better. Its horrible feeling like that. I have fairy lights in my house all year round, just one string above the front door. It always feels a bit dark in that space, as it’s a big heavy solid wood door. There is a skylight above, but at this time of year it doesn’t help. So I strung my Christmas lights above it to add a little twinkle of magic, and it works perfectly all winter long, and on late evenings in the summer too, if I feel like it. They dont look festive, they look quite Moroccan actually.
Thanks Ali 🙂 Your lights sound lovely, perfect for the space. And I agree, I don’t think they’re just for holidays, I think they’re a great decorating accent. It was one of the things I loved about Morocco, the sparkly lights and candles everywhere.
And the mint tea… don’t forget the mint tea! I went to Morrocco twice… loved it!
Oh, I loved it too! I’ve only been once, and definitely plan to go again. And yes, the mint tea – they have a way of making it I’ve never been able to replicate at home. So delicious 🙂
I know. And normally I hate sweet tea.
Oh, and I hope your floods have abated!
Actually yes it has! But still grey and soggy out there.
Yes, we’ve had some glimpses of blue sky today at least, but the rain is still threatening. Still, it’s the time of year I suppose. Glad to hear the floods have receded at least 🙂
I think the original was a haiku; your version makes a good one, too.
Glad you cheered up!
Oh yes, that would make sense 🙂 And thank you!
I shall have to look up some of this poet’s work; it sounds wonderful… and causes one to think about their own life situation.
Thank you – this was the only quote I was familiar with, and I haven’t been able to find much else online about him. However, it does give one pause to think, doesn’t it?