♕ |[19]| Thy mighty harmonies will take from both a deep, autumnal tone, sweet though in sadness.

[had_not_lived]

O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn's being, Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing, Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red, Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou, Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed The wingèd seeds, where they lie cold and low, Each like a corpse within its grave, until Thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow Her clarion o'er the dreaming earth, and fill (Driving sweet buds like flocks to feed in air) With living hues and odors plain and hill: Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere; Destroyer and preserver; hear, oh, hear!

That's Shelley's, not mine. There's more but I didn't want to write all of it. It seemed kind of fitting; I guess because summer's really gone now, and it's nearly October and the way everyone talks about that makes it seem kind of frightening. Ghosts and graves. It makes sense in a way, since Halloween is coming, too. I'm excited about it even if it's dangerous. But maybe we'll be lucky, and it won't be too bad. The poem is hopeful too; if only because winter won't last forever.

I don't really see the point of worrying when we can't know what's coming. I was talking to Claire about optimists and pessimists, and really I think I'd rather be neither-- I'd rather be happy as long as I can and take things as they come.

This all just reminds me that we need to get started on the mystery soon, if we plan to perform it end of next month... I really don't know where the time goes. Maybe it's just that I've been distracted. It's been weeks since I said anything on this, though I guess I've been talking to plenty of people even if I have nothing to say. I'm not a total hermit. I hope.

Comments

[girlwithabow.livejournal.com]

I think I would be creeped out if I knew who Shelley was and what she was talking about in the poem.

Worrying won't help, but being prepared for anything won't hurt either.

[had_not_lived]

He. Percy Shelley. He was married to the woman who wrote Frankenstein. I think it's a pretty uplifting poem actually, considering how dark the imagery is.

How much can you really prepare for curses, though?

[girlwithabow.livejournal.com]

Oops. Sorry, Percy.

Not much, considering we never know when they're coming and what they'll be like, but I guess if you set up a plan just in case you get body swapped or turned into a fish or something crazy, that's a good thing to have.

[moresake.livejournal.com]

I like your philosophy.

[had_not_lived]

I think I do, too. Optimism is too hard to maintain, and pessimism.... isn't healthy.

[moresake.livejournal.com]

Some people seem naturally inclined to optimism, though it's certainly not an easy course to take. And pessimism leaves so little room for miracles.

Have you gotten the script for the mystery, then?

audio;

[treadingdawn.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a sensible way to go about things.

audio;

[had_not_lived]

I think so, too. Though as Kate pointed out it's good to be prepared, even if you're not actively worrying.

audio;

[treadingdawn.livejournal.com]

Of course. Defensive measures are a responsibility for some.

[adamantined]

Not a total hermit, no. You're still talking to people anyway.

[had_not_lived]

I've been staying in more than I used to, though. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing. Maybe it's just because it's fall and my brain thinks it's time for school, so I should be inside reading all day.

[adamantined]

Or your brain thinks it should be hiding from getting up everyday at 6AM.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I recall that poem.

I've got those stories you and Rosella asked me about some weeks ago. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get them written down. They're still in a very poor state, but if you're interested in using one for the inspiration for your play, I'd be glad to send them along.

[had_not_lived]

I hadn't read it until now. Though we read a lot of Shelley-- all the Romantics, really-- in class.

I'm sure they're in better shape than you think, Cain. I'd be happy to read them.



[ooc; i know you have been pressed for time, if you don't have the chance to get IC stories written up i understand and we can handwave things ♥♥♥]

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Had you not? It's a little florid in places, I think, but it's quite dramatic.

Then let me write them properly and I'll send you a message by Network tomorrow when I've sent them out.

[mumbled_truth]

I'll be the total hermit.

[had_not_lived]

Like that's anything new.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

No matter what happens this October, we'll manage it. I'm sure we will. We'll show them.

[had_not_lived]

I know we will. Even if the curses are awful.

[deformiwhats.livejournal.com]

I was never really one for poetry, but I have to say, that's not half bad!

And Halloween's okay too, as far as I'm concerned.

[had_not_lived]

That's only the first stanza, there's a lot more if you want to look it up. Ode to the West Wind.

I think Halloween is fun, but people tell me it tends to bring bad curses.

[reginagloriae]

Huh. I don't know about October, but people here are scared of December and the Christmas season. There's a "zombie" tradition.

[had_not_lived]

I think it's because Halloween is traditionally sort of a scary holiday. I've heard about the zombies-- they'd make more sense for Halloween, I think, but maybe that's just the City's sense of humor.

[absinthe-eyed.livejournal.com]

I doubt this month will be worse than other months. They're all difficult in their ways.

I like Shelley. "Ode to the West Wind"? My favorite part is near the end:

Drive my dead thoughts over the universe,
Like wither'd leaves, to quicken a new birth;
And, by the incantation of this verse,

Scatter, as from an unextinguish'd hearth
Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!

[had_not_lived]

Uh-huh, that's the one. I liked all of it, I just thought it'd be a little too much to put up at once. It's mournful and hopeful at once.