Last night, on the Shipping Forecast, we were advised that an advancing weather front would result in ‘enhancing shower activity’ (i.e. more rain). Usually, such gobbledegook leaves me muttering about plain English and doing a fairly good impression of Colonel Blimp. Not this time. I was entranced by a vision of raindrops dancing across the grey waters of the North Sea, shimmering and shining with all the colours of the rainbow as light pierced the gloom. It was the word ‘enhanced’ that got me. I know its ordinary meaning is just to intensify or increase (in + altus in Latin, meaning to elevate, via a complicated path in Norman French) but that is to ignore its sound; and to go from enhancing to dancing is a good instance of how words affect us at many different levels, not all of them subject to logical analysis. That is why poetry matters; why translation is such a difficult art; why the Word made flesh makes even the most garrulous of us dumb with wonder, love and praise.
I feel a bit silly, tearing up on reading those words!
Don’t feel silly, Stan. That’s the power of words for you!
I have learn a new word and its meaning; garrulous; excessively talkative, esp about trivial things! Yes that is me. That brings a tear to my eye too and has totally stopped me in my tracks, in a good way.
I will forever see raindrops differently, thank you.
Thank you for enhancing my morning.
Thank you; what good writing. I’m sure that rhyme of ‘enhance’ with ‘entrance’ (v.) is part of its shimmering effect. I wonder if you know Carol Ann Duffy’s poem ‘Prayer’, which ends with the shipping forecast?
Ah yes, though it wasn’t until you reminded me that I thought of it. Thank you!
A me too moment. It felt (and in my minds eye) magical and enchanted, beautiful. Much better than “more rain forecast” Thank you Sister.
Thank you; I often find myself listening to the shipping forecast when it’s one of those wakeful nights, but I had never come across the Carol Ann Duffy poem ‘Prayer’
God gave us our personal central processing units, storage and recall facilities not only to do good for the world but to keep us educated, entertained and willing to help each other. Visions and the words of life, beauty and wonder are His grace and love for us all.
God bless and heal you, dear Sister Catherine xx.