This summer I realized that I have been driving across the CBBT to work for almost twenty-five years now. An hour each way in the car gives you a lot of time to think. It can provide some perspective on things–sometimes a little too much perspective.
A few weeks ago, I published a piece about Claude Monet’s series of paintings of the Rouen Cathedral. I have always been attracted to that work because of its attempt to illustrate the evanescence of things and the transitory nature of the world.
Over the years, it is something I have come to realize about the Chesapeake Bay.
The term “Impressionism” was coined from the title of Claude Monet’s 1872 painting, “Impression, Sunrise,” which was exhibited in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874. Impressionists sought to capture fleeting moments, the play of light, and the atmosphere of their surroundings. They often painted en plein air, or outdoors, to observe and portray the effects of natural light.
My Chesapeake Bay and Transitory Evanescence
“Transitory evanescence” refers to the fleeting and temporary nature of existence and experience. The term combines two related ideas:
- Transitory: Something that is transient or short-lived. In the context of art, this could refer to capturing a moment or emotion that is passing and impermanent.
- Evanescence: The quality of fading away or disappearing. Evanescence suggests a sense of fragility and impermanence, often used to describe things that are delicate or momentary.
Each trip to work, each encounter with the water is “transitory evanescence”. Each day captures moments, emotions, or even scenes that are beautiful or meaningful precisely because they are fleeting and won’t last. Each trip captures the ephemeral qualities of light, color, and emotion, my state of mind. Some days the water is calm and blue, others it is cappy and green, others it is choppy and brown. The time of day, the angle of light, and the movement of the car can change its nature.
Different times of the day capture varying qualities of light, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of illumination. Weather conditions, such as fog, rain, or mist, highlight the Bay’s ever-changing nature.
The Bay is much like my life, it’s about finding significance in the impermanent and appreciating the beauty of things that are here for a brief moment before they disappear.
All things will disappear.
Life, like the Bay, is inherently transient. From birth to death, our existence is a journey marked by continuous change. The very act of living involves growth, aging, and eventually death. It is an act of becoming.
The transitory evanescence of the Bay reminds me that every moment of life is fleeting, encouraging me to appreciate the present and make the most of my diminishing time. Some days crossing the bridge, I can sense myself receding, inching closer and closer to a spiritual vanishing point of space and time.
The natural world exemplifies transitory evanescence through the changing seasons. The blossoming of spring, the warmth of summer, the harvest of autumn, and the dormancy of winter all illustrate the cyclical nature of things. Observing these changes in nature can serve as a reminder of the impermanence of all things and our connection to the larger world.
Coming home each day, the Bay is there to greet me. It tries so hard to remind me of being present in the moment and acknowledging the impermanence of all things. Its light and color try to teach me, usually futiley, to grasp a greater clarity, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of the world–and my life.
Yes, there’s a lot of time to think while crossing the bridge each day. The Bay is always there, always changing–it serves as a reminder that nothing in our existence, be it our own lives, our emotions, or the world around us, is permanent.
It is evanescent…
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Absolutely beautiful and informative Wayne.
A lovely contemplation, Wayne. Beautiful read.
Well written. When I pray, I always ask to give me the ability to be in the moment, to not obsessively worry about the future, and to see the gifts God is giving me. Modern life is all about distractions, acquiring what you desire (and not necessarily need) and, quite frankly, being a self-centered jerk. I can see where regular trips across the CBBT would give you time for contemplation. Perhaps both constructive as well as destructive thoughts. I say delight in it.