A little fall of rain.

So I've had this song from Les Miserables stuck in my head off and on since Saturday evening, when there literally was a little fall of rain. It will leave, to be replaced by another, and then it will rain outside and back in comes. This is not just because of the title, either, but more about the romanticism of each that have tied themselves eternally in mind. (And by eternally, I mean for four days.)

Rain has always been romantic for me. Rain means snuggling down in bed with a good book, drinking hot tea or mulled cider in a stoneware cup, wrapped in flannel or a wool sweater. Ideally in this fantasy, there is another also so stretched out, snuggling with book and me, looking occasionally over the pages to meet eyes and smile, and go back to the individual wonders of whatever world we are engaging ourselves in at the time. Thunder, on the other hand and like you would expect, is for more passionate activities. Kissing while the rain patters loudly on the windows and the thunder booms and the lightning lights up the room is another small fantasy of mine, yet to be actually be experienced.

You can start to understand why this song is already tied to romance in my mind. The rain is small, and comfortable, and Marius and Eponine are embracing. Yes, she loves him and he does not reciprocate in the same manner - those particular feelings are saved for Cosette. And yes, there is that whole thing about how she is dying in this scene. And yet, for that moment, everything for her is perfect. Instead of living a life without him, she is able to spend her last moments in his arms. In all honestly, she probably would have chosen Option A if she had a choice, but since she doesn't, she dies. But she doesn't die alone within the barricade, one of the many crying out for the one they love. She is instead able to die in the arms of the one she loves most, and for this moment and this moment alone, she has obtained all of attention and love and does not have to share.

(http://www.allmusicals.com/lyrics/lesmiserables/alittlefallofrain.htm)

Maybe this strikes a chord because I have a terrible tendency to fall in love with my friends, and an even worse tendency to be completely mute about it. Marius certainly knew nothing of Eponine's feelings until that fatal song, and seems awfully surprised by it. Am I Eponine? I don't think so. As much as I will romanticize the rest of the world, I tend not to do the same for myself. Is there a Marius out there? Who knows? I do know that I would rather live than die of a bullet in 17th century France, no matter whose arms were around me. But maybe there is a lesson. Maybe I will listen to it. Maybe not.

Long live the Republic.