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Melancholy
Haiku and commentary
half-lit cigarette
melancholy etched in bench
afternoon canceled
Melancholy means a gloomy state of mind. If you couple a damp day with disappointment, you may find yourself on a bench experiencing some degree of melancholy.
I don’t look at melancholy as a negative, however. I see it as a chance for reflection. All our feelings tell us something about ourselves. If we accept them as a gift, they can help determine the direction of our lives.
I particularly love melancholy songs, like “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell, and most of Leonard Cohen’s songs are gloomy, like “You Want It Darker.”
On a rainy or snowy day, there’s nothing like a melancholy movie and a warm cup of cocoa to keep you company. Sure, I love sunshine and happiness, but there’s a special place in my heart for those days when I could reflect on my sadness — and be okay with it. Because I know, right around the corner, George Harrison will be singing “Here Comes the Sun.”
© 2021 Mark Tulin
Here’s another Haiku by Mark:
