The Setting Sun

A sun setting into a body of water has become an important moment for me, it’s more than just a pretty occurrence streaming color throughout the sky. I relate the majesty, splendor and glory of a setting sun to existence beyond our earthly confines. As the radiating orb pulls closer to the watery embrace preparing shelter for yet another night, the yellowish luster reflecting off the rippled water below resembles a path. To be honest it mimics a fluid staircase composed of pure light. Cyclical waves returning home separate a solid beam rebounding off the sea’s surface…therefore giving the reflection a stepped appearance. It waivers and flows along the aqueous facade as squinty eyes unsuccessfully attempt to follow the iridescent path to consummation. The eternal passage merely convinces my gaze what my heart already knows.

I encourage my physical senses to consume the mystique emanating from the surreal setting. Consoling waves sporadically unify with an anticipating shore in varying tones…as if a classical composer stood atop a jutting cliff conducting their arrival. The monotonous tones sooth my mind and heart into a tranquil state of being. Brushstroked clouds sweep across an endless blue firmament. Their lightness and purity prepare to relinquish capacity to the coloration blossoming from the sun’s lustrous glow. I observe oranges, teals, pinks, purples, greens and decisive reds saturate a sapphire sky as they clamor for dominance like disordered forces scattered over a battlefield. Unyielding declarations over Heavenly territory fade away as primary colors concede…melting into one another, birthing vibrant new hues. There is no natural occurrence which demonstrates the creation of color quite like a sunset.

A cooling breeze tickles exposed skin as the afternoon warmth fades in unison with the sinking sun. The calming gusts, reminiscent of “The Swan of Tuonela”, harmonize with the tidal symphonic performance below. Soft gales usher a delicate briny aroma as I ingest the sea from afar. My physical senses edge closer to a capacity which is rarely realized. The descent has finally concluded, but the afterglow claws eastward, attempting to elude a very certain fate. Stars begin to twinkle through the fading iridescence like fireflies at dusk…evading giggling children’s attempts to capture them within old glass jars. The wrinkled ageless sea fights the merging skyline as the remaining sunlight fades out like a dying candlewick, giving way to the moon’s luminescent poise.

The array of splendor which I have just witnessed jostles more than my physical senses. It makes me challenge my existence, yet simultaneously I somehow feel that I’m peering into the essence of creation. It’s as if through the setting sun, with all of it

s magnificence, I am peering through the brief window which merges two worlds as a spirit returns home. The beauty of that ethereal sanctuary shines through…temporarily sharing unfathomable beauty. A sunset induces my being, validates my existence and enriches my desire to do more, to become more…before my spirit is ushered through that brief divine window. I find comfort feeling…believing…that an awaiting spirit peers from celestial shores, appreciating the majesty, splendor and glory emanating from my radiating soul.