Ironic Pessimism

6 days ago • Published in USA USA • by Pfenix Quinn
The Parish Review

Vol.1, No.8, Day 6064

"What New England is, is a state of mind, a place where dry humor and perpetual disappointment blend to produce an ironic pessimism that folks from away find most perplexing.” ~ Willem Lange, The Yankee Notebook





Old stones stand sentry at the edge of New England towns, illuminated only by fireflies, silent witnesses to the passing world. They silently announce to passers-by a crossing into Barnstable or Sandwich. Whizzing along in their Jeeps and 4x4's, busy busy motorists miss the solemnity of the markers, unaware of their long-standing duty.




I know it's just lights from cars whizzing by on their way to the adventure park, lights bouncing brightly off the wall just down the hall from where I sit. And I remind my mind that it's so. Yet it insists on seeing glimpses of former residents of this two centuries plus old house, carrying a candle and floating along in a flowing night gown, hurrying to hear the news from a late-night visitor that the reign of Adams is done and Jefferson has been elected.