Ephemeral Beauty

by newsletter writer Jenna Duxbury

June is my favorite month. It comes as a perennial wave of relief that washes away the stress of the academic year and bubbles up with the promise of a new chapter. Longer days give us more time in the Carolina sunshine and more energy for getting stuff done. Nothing feels permanent in June—the gorgeous flowers that burst into life will only be with us for a short time. June only has four weekends (!); how will we fill that precious time to enjoy it to the fullest? There was a time in my life when realizing that time & beauty were fleeting & subject to decay made me feel as if making an effort to enjoy it was a bit pointless.

But actually, I think the impermanence makes it all the more special and worthy of attention. I have these memories—maybe you have them, too—of going to theme parks as a kid and standing in long lines to ride roller coasters & water slides. On aching feet and tired, wiggly limbs, I remember reading the etchings that thousands of bored park visitors had carved into the handrails & wooden posts lining the paths to the ride gates. B loves T. KC + RP 4EVR. Summer 2007. I always wondered what happened to all those hearts & plus signs. I’d never know what inspired a person to scrawl You are beautiful! or I was here in permanent marker on a bathroom stall above gritty sand & squares of toilet paper.