SONNTAGSLEERUNG zohn - tahgs - leh - roong
SONNTAGSLEERUNG
Zohn – tahgs – leh-roong
In the short time that I have been seeking understanding of how writers are published, I discovered most writers are willing to share their thoughts on the “how” of publishing and thoughts on how one improves their writing, In the time that I have been in the Bay Area I met two writers that have been seriously helpful. One lent me a book that I will focus on over the next several writings. Those who follow my blog will remember “Surdenfraudeh”.
I have been trying to learn Italian. As I have said it would have been better if I had started 50 years ago but I did not. In my study of languages, I found German to be a challenging and intimidating language. Given my German heritage, I was nonetheless interested. One of the unique parts of the German language is the combination of words that become a singular word with a meaning that can encompass complex emotions. Mark Twain said it this way “These things are not words; they are alphabetical processions.” In the next few weeks, I am going to explore some of these “alphabetical processions” and delve into how I relate.
The first word I have decided to explore is Sonntagsleerung. It is apropos as I usually finish my blog on Sunday evening and then schedule it to post Wednesdays.
I have been plagued by the Sunday depression for as long as I can remember. Most definitions of this condition indicate that depression comes from the anticipation or dread of the coming work week or a future event. For me, this definition is more akin to anxiety or dread as in a term paper is due on Monday; you are to appear in court; a bill is due; a client meeting and on and on. I am not sure that is depression as much as it is anxiety or just anticipation (like Carly Simon’s song by the same name) “We can never know about the days to come but we think about them anyway Anticipation, anticipation”) The Sunday “blues” or sonntagsleerug occurs because something has concluded. Sundays start out well enough. You sleep in a little; maybe linger over coffee a little longer; kids stay on the computer a little longer---Sunday mornings are stretched out and softer. That is, of course, unless you have decided you need to go to church, and then you have created a whole other source of anxiety and scheduling. Let me not digress. Sunday morning is generally pleasant and fun but as the day moves forward the conclusion comes closer. For me, that is when that feeling of maybe a bad piece of fish found its way into your stomach as it begins to feel unsettled. The bathroom does not hold the solution. It is just that feeling of unease: like a first date or your turn at the plate or you are about to give your speech. Whatever biological occurrence begins when things are just not settled it is that feeling that comes upon me Sunday afternoon. Then I start thinking about everything ending. Honestly, I try to think about Dr. Seuss’s famous line “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened”. I gain some solace for the moment I recall these words but it is temporary relief.
It’s the conclusion of something you really enjoyed against the insecurity of something you might not, with a dash of loneliness for good measure.
I just cannot find the words to fully and accurately describe the feeling of depression on Sunday so I found one:
Sonntagsteerung