Zadie Smith writes in Elegy for a country’s seasons

“There is the scientific and ideological language for what is happening to the weather, but there are hardly any intimate words. Is that surprising? People in mourning tend to use euphemism; likewise the guilty and ashamed. The most melancholy of all the euphemisms: “The new normal.”

And still the earth turns, and today the day again equals the night.

I’m on the Pacific coast in Ucluelet, enjoying lots of unexpected sunshine, looking for a sunset beach I celebrate the equinox by going paddling, the wind is icy in spite of the sunshine, I don’t venture far into the surf and the ebbing tide recedes, I realise the sea and sky will still be beautiful if no one is there to admire them and ask Would you miss me? The waves reprise and dance back to tickle my feet and I want to cry.