Chapter 1: The Enchantment of Light

In the pursuit of capturing fragmented light, one must embrace the intangible—something without size, distance, or even true existence. This light, nestled at the rear of a raindrop, clings to its surroundings, leaving traces behind. Observed from afar or up close, this light travels through countless raindrops, revealing a spectrum of colors that coalesce into beautiful rainbows.

Through a clever manipulation of perception, if we could gather these scattered shards of light, we might weave them into a quilt of joy. Each piece would represent the smiles they elicit, or perhaps we would intertwine their memories into a carpet to provide comfort on the rocky paths we often tread. Favoring functional creations, such a tapestry would surely shine bright, reminding us of our commitment to cherish the Earth and refrain from overwhelming it with the tears of others.

Alternatively, we might choose to cradle a single droplet in our open palms, only to let it return to the vast ocean. This broken water, potent enough to fracture light, finds itself lost in unity. Yet, we grasp its essence.

The fifth of six traditional spring seasons in Japan, referred to as seimei (清明) or Pure and Clear, is segmented into three micro-seasons. The final phase, occurring from April 15–19, is celebrated as niji hajimete arawaru (虹始見), or First Rainbows.

My exploration of rainbows for this poem led me to the Atmospheric Optics blog, which touches on the idea of the rainbow's absence of physical form, distance, or scale. I invite you to join me on this journey as I delve deeper into the poetic essence of these fleeting seasons, compiling them into my Micro-Season Poem Cycle.

Natalie

Chapter 2: The Science of Rainbows

The first video, What Causes a Rainbow, delves into the scientific principles that explain the formation of rainbows. It explores how light interacts with water droplets to create this beautiful optical phenomenon.

The second video, Physics of Rainbows, further elaborates on the underlying physics behind this enchanting spectacle, discussing refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light.