February

     

 

 

 

    Another week and the second month of the year will be gone. February is the month which for some is filled with romantic moments. 

    The fourteenth being St Valentine's, just in case you didn't know and if we have a leap year, ladies can propose marriage to a man. Personally, I think anyone can propose marriage to their love anytime they want. But who am I to down the tradition that originated in Ireland?

    Here in Tenerife, Canary Islands, it's a very important month on the calendar, the fact being that the capital, Santa Cruz holds the second most internationally known carnival in the world. UNESCO, recognized  it's cultural importance and awarded it, Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017.

    February,  I feel is the month when winter is still hanging around, waiting around to catch the next bus out of town. Even although the temperature here in the Canaries is warmer than in Scotland, winter does have a bite, on occasion. What does the month mean to you, if anything?

 

    The poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem about an afternoon in February and what it meant to him, so I've included it today.

 

 Afternoon in February

 

 

The day is ending,

The night is descending,

The marsh is frozen, 

The river dead.

Through clouds like ashes

The red sun flashes,

On village windows. 

That glimmer red.

The snow recommences.

The buried fences, 

Mark no longer, 

The road over the plain.

 

While through the meadows,

Like fearful shadows.

Slowly passes a funeral train.

The bell is pealing. 

And every feeling,

Within me responds

To the dismal knell.

Shadows are trailing,

My heart is bewailing,

And tolling within,

 Like a funeral bell.