Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Season of Birds and Bees

Spring has sprung in my neck of the woods, and birdsong has blossomed forth along with the cherry trees. The increased hours of sun improve my mood immensely. And I'm learning to chant the festival melodies for a few verses of the Song of Songs for services this Shabbat.

In case you're not familiar with it, the Song of Songs is a book of the Bible (Jewish and Christian) that is leaping with erotic poetry and imagery from the natural world. It's assigned to be read in synagogues during the week of Passover, which is itself a springtime festival.

The eroticism of the season is not confined to the Bible. Yesterday, on my way home, I saw two blackbirds engaged in copulation. And this noon, on my way to lunch, I saw two pigeons similarly occupied. The emerging blossoms and increased light appear to be an avian aphrodisiac.

Ah, to be young and feathered!