Daily Cascade

Sunsets and Sunrises

Prompt: Sunsets and Sunrises
“Why did dusk and fir-scent and the afterglow of autumnal sunsets make people say absurd things?”
L.M. Montgomery
Describe a sunset or sunrise that took your breath away. What emotions did it stir in you?

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I don't know if, according to L.M. Montgomery, I ever said anything absurd about sunsets or sunrises, but possibly I might have made a sound like "Awww!" That's as absurd as I might have gotten, which doesn't mean I don't say anything absurd at any other time or occasion. The question is how can anything so beautiful as a sunset or a sunrise can be expressed in absurdity! Yet, I wouldn't bet on that; knowing me, it might have been possible.

With the sunsets, especially those that I used to watch in places much farther away from the equator, unlike Florida now, sunsets just lingered and we could have an early dinner outside just enjoying those symphony of colors that changed the sky, very slowly, from its vibrant blue to a cascade of reds, oranges, pinks, and purples. Next, the sun sank slowly at the horizon, casting long, golden rays over the trees and the backyards. But that was then.

Now, where I live, if a sunset lasts more than three to five minutes, I consider it lucky. Yet, the colors have the same beauty and the air is still, and this moment is bittersweet with the idea of the completion of another day in my life. This invites reflection, introspection, tranquility and the welcoming of the approaching night.

I guess, I'll tackle a sunrise here, too, since I see it as a symbol of hope and renewal. Except for today, since I'll be getting my flu and RSV shots in the afternoon . Not that I fear getting pricked but it is annoying that something not too pleasant will take up the best time of my day.

Coming back to the sunrises, I think I like them even more if I don't oversleep and miss them. I like watching the darkness lighten up in pale blues and soft pinks and let the yellow and gold hues of the dawn set in. There's always a soft glow across the backyards, encouraging promise and possibility. Added to this is the nature awakening with bird songs and small rabbits and squirrels dashing across the lawns. This becomes a gentle invitation for me to begin again and embrace another new day.