Newtonian Snow (NJ10)


To be honest, I am writing this nature journal from inside, shielded from the outdoor environment.  I suppose this probably prohibits the intimate connection to the natural elements that many environmental writers emphasize.  When inside, I am limited to sight.  I feel the heat float from the fire just feet away, the sound of the TV in the background, and the soft cushion beneath me instead of the firm, frigid ground found outdoors.  Perhaps this comfortable, indoor environment allows me to focus more on what I see.  What if, since I am not concerned about keeping my hands and feet warm or trying to protect myself from the wind, I can direct all my attention toward the appearance of snow falling from above.

I follow a snowflake from the top of the window down to the ground.  Its general direction is down, of course, obeying the laws of physics.  But something peculiar seems to shift and spin its trajectory.  As it floats, it looks like someone or something blows against it, in every direction possible, confusing the snowflake on which way to fall, almost as if to wobble and realign itself in midair.  Looking up toward the uniform grey sky from which the snowflakes fall, I try to understand how such uniformity creates unique shapes and sizes.  Some differences in the flakes are subtle but other variations are obvious.  In the few minutes I watch from the window, the snowflakes grow in size then quickly revert to a powdery appearance as if flour was being blown off the roof.  This calm snowfall continued, faint and almost invisible.  It makes me wonder if snow looks different outside when other senses are present (but these senses also have the ability to distract).

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