Dashes crowns of princely trees.
Perplexed travelers ask for reasons,
Huddling under worn eaves.
Those who follow Tao make much of knowing and acting in conformity to the cycle of seasons. They have made a science of studying the exact ways in which events progress. Some have become so skillful that their lives are admired as nearly magical. Yet when things happen out of turn, even these wise ones are surprised.Such is the case with unseasonable rain. It is supposed to be hot summer, yet it is a day like midwinter. What is there to do but to accept it? Following cycles does not mean that you can then expect things to occur with precision and regularity. The actual ways that circumstances develop will always remain beyond complete regimentation. Nature doesn't act according to human theories. Rather, our sciences are imperfect at analyzing nature.
The follower of Tao is always flexible and adaptable to circumstance. Even if there is personal desire to do something and advance preparation has been made, the follower must nevertheless bow to nature. Knowing how to put aside personal priorities in order to fulfill the demands of the time is among the greatest of skills.
Personal Interpretation
As followers of Tao we build our lives around the seasons and cycles of nature. Sometimes Nature does things we don't expect though, and we must be able and willing to adapt to changing circumstances. Rain may ruin our plans. Drought may destroy a harvest and make life more difficult for a spell. The truly flexible become creative under such dire circumstances. Our lives too, that we have spent a great deal of time building, may not always follow the path we might have chosen. Sometimes we are forced to take another route or to wait out some tragedy. But even the worst storms pass. And that is something to take comfort in as we survey our surroundings and try to determine what to do next.
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