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A Love Letter to Monsoon….

Dear Monsoon,

Living in India, a country with a pretty tropical climate, winter is my favourite season. But when it comes to the skies, no one comes close to what you offer. And that is not the only thing I love about you. You are the season of rain after all. So consider this my love letter to you, beloved….

Photo of rain drop splashing on a plant in a pot by Xandrieth Xs….

To be honest, I had a crush on you ever since I was a kid. But back then, every time I played in the rain, I would fall sick with a fever. Hence, I wasn’t allowed to do it much. It took my body quite a few years of falling ill after every pleasant encounter before I could have fun with you without consequences. But I have no regrets. They were worth it….

I am aware that there are people who are not fond of you. I know some people even hate you. And sometimes you indeed do cause inconvenience in work, especially those involving the outdoors. But if you cannot love someone despite their imperfections if not because of them, is it even love….?

Photo of traffic on wet roads in the evening after rain in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India by Xandrieth Xs….

We pluviophile often get a reputation of not being good at being happy. It might be because we are usually not good at expressing our emotions. Or it might be just true. Or it might be because happiness is merely a temporary distraction. But you, you make me happy. I might not be explaining it well, but somehow all the racing thoughts inside my mind get quiet in your beautiful white noise. We should rather call it background music instead. And then there’s the strangely erotic smell of a freshly wet nature…..

People have a habit of calling their lovers lifelines to sound romantic. But in your case, it won’t be a mere figure of speech to call you so. Life does depend on you. Especially for life surviving in lands deprived of direct access to water bodies. Sometimes you do turn dangerous with your furry, the lightning, the thunder, the storm and the damage that follows…..

Photo of a group of lightning strikes in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India by Xandrieth Xs….

But even with all that, very few things bring me the calm, the joy and the peace of mind that you do. And I will always love you for it….

Yours truly….

Watch the Cinematic Video Essay: https://youtu.be/6xuvsoWZWGk