Don Juan

20 February 2018:

"Man's a phenomenon, one knows not what,
And wonderful beyond all wondrous measure;
'T is pity though, in this sublime world, that
Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure;
Few mortals know what end they would be at,
But whether glory, power, or love, or treasure,
The path is through perplexing ways, and when
The goal is gain'd, we die, you know—and then—

What then?—I do not know, no more do you—
And so good night.—Return we to our story..."--Byron, Don Juan, Canto One

I spent some serious time with Byron today in preparation for a class on Thursday. Don Juan, with its lively verses, hilarious wit, and surprising moments of beauty and the sublime was well-suited to today. Today, after all, was a oddly gorgeous day; temperatures soared over 80 degrees and a broken water main meant that school closed early. It felt like spring and looked like it, too, with everyone outside and (seemingly) happy. But none of it seemed quite right and it definitely didn't feel normal. 

I love the lines quoted above which are both serious and humorous. They tackle one of the big questions/struggles in life (why is stuff that feels so good so often really bad?) even as it undercuts itself as it moves to the next stanza. Perfect contemplations for a strange and beautiful day.