These Are My JOTtings...

What is the Best Time of the Day?

As a confirmed night owl
I could be expected to say
that
the middle of the night
and
the wee hours of the morning
are the best.

It's true that there is a great deal of merit to this belief about me.
I have seen midnight on many of my days.
Some of my greatest writing is done after midnight.

However,
I still have a great affinity
for the other parts
of the day, too.

When I have seen a sunrise,
I have been so thoroughly impressed
that I wanted to do it again...
as soon as possible thereafter.

Morning shows
a crispness
and
newness
and
freshness
that is truly remarkable,
day
after day
after day...

Noon gives a stark reminder
that the sun is in the sky
and it is so much more powerful
than all of Mankind put together.

Afternoon has a nearly palpable
and often strictly-enforced lull
as the human brain processes
the new infusion of food stuffs
and bodily resources,
which were taken in at lunch.

Afternoon requires us to be involved
in great physical exertion or intentional sleep.
Anything in between will find itself
succumbing to some form of sleepiness
that is often detrimental, socially
as well as to the continuance of an employment.

Late afternoon is my favorite time to create
interesting informal portraits
of family and friends
because the long rays
of sunlight make
such warm, complimentary tones
for the face.

Sunset is one of my favorite times of day
because the warm
reds
and
oranges
and
yellows
in the sky create such great
canvases of silhouette paintings
with the darkened trees in the foreground.

Sunset is a great time for
contemplation of the day
and for the consideration
of the future.

Evening is the best time
to enjoy the company
of those closest to each of us.
A cup of tea
and a few soft words
or simply
a cup of tea
and blessed silence
between friends
is truly
a balm
for
the
soul.

There may be a best time of the day for some,
but every one of the twenty-four hours
has a unique merit all its own.

by Jay O'Toole
on March 31st, 2017