Special Pleasures

SPECIAL PLEASURES

by Robert Neulieb

 Imagine trudging along a snow packed woodland path towards home as twilight descends. The temperature dips below zero as you pass a cliff where the frozen cascade will sing and gush in spring, along the cliff where hepatics will display their blues and purples, along the path where red and white trilliums, blood roots, spring beauties will bloom and Dutchman’s breeches and Jack-in –the- pulpits will display their shapes, over the stream opening into a narrow wetland which the marsh marigolds will turn into a golden ribbon, meandering among the trees.

The chill seeps through your jacket and invades your insulated boots when you spot a light in your window and know that warmth and comfort are near. Up the walk to your home where crocuses and daffodils will push aside the snow then inside the door where warmth and the glowing lamp provide special pleasures. A hot chocolate drink warming the innards provides a special pleasure.  A comforting hot shower that seeps through the skin and penetrates the muscles provides a special pleasure.

 Now envision a bubble being placed over this scene maintaining the temperature at 70 F degrees always.  Today, yesterday, tomorrow, and in 6 months the temperature will always be 70 F.  The cascade murmurs, but doesn’t sing or gurgle. The leaves of the numerous flowers provide green foliage, but no blooms, no array of colors or intriguing shapes under the ever- present shade from the trees. The light in the window is welcoming, but not a special pleasure. The temperature inside and out is the same. The choice of drink can be orange juice, soda, lemonade, same as yesterday, tomorrow, 6 month, not a special pleasure.  Lukewarm shower, nice but not special.  Special pleasures become more complex, extravagant even decadent.

The cold and snow intensifies pleasure and anticipation.  Simple pleasure can carry us through.