In the rain-darkness,
the sunset
being sheathed i sit
and think of you the holy
city which is your face
your little cheeks the streets
of smiles
your eyes half-
thrush
half-angel and your drowsy
lips where float flowers of kiss
and
there is the sweet shy pirouette
your hair
and then
your dance song
soul rarely-beloved
a single star is
uttered, and i
think
of you
“Someday, you will find the one who will watch every sunrise with you until the sunset of your life.” ~ Author Unknown
I’m an early riser. I enjoy sunrises and sunsets. There’s something exciting to me about seeing a sunrise. A sunrise is to me a that I have another chance. It’s a signal that there are wonderful surprises waiting for me as my day unfolds. It’s a signal that I’ve moved on from yesterday to something new and challenging. Sunsets are peaceful to me. They give me a signal that it’s time to rest and to be at peace. It’s a signal that it is time of letting go. It’s a signal that it is a time for gratitude for all the blessings that came my way during the day. A sunrise and sunset are reminders to me to pray.
I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills
Coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain:
I have seen the lady April bringing the daffodils,
Bringing the springing grass and the soft warm April rain.
I have heard the song of the blossoms and the old chant of the sea,
And seen strange lands from under the arched white sails of ships;
But the loveliest thing of beauty God ever has shown to me,
Are her voice, and her hair, and eyes, and the dear red curve of her lips.
In July, 1942, Anne Frank’s parents received a summons from the Nazi’s to report to a labor camp. Instead, they went to a secret annex to hide from Nazi’s. Thirteen year old Anne Frank remained there until her arrest on August 4, 1944, deported and eventually killed. Anne Frank maintained a diary while in the secret annex. The following excerpt is taken from Anne Frank’s diary.
“I’ve found that there is always some beauty left — in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself; these can all help you.” ~ Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
NOTE: I went for a walk this evening. The sun was beginning to set. A beautiful sunset was beginning to form. A short distance later I saw a neighbors yard with gold and purple pansies (It’s January and in south Texas we have flowers year round). A mockingbird was sitting on a low tree branch keeping an eye on me. And a friend sent me a photo of her snow covered yard. It was all beautiful. Anne Frank was right, There is always some beauty left. It’s up to us to slow our minds down and discover what was always there. They help to get us centered and bring a sense of peace.
At Sunset
Emily Pauline Johnson
To-night the west o’er-brims with warmest dyes;
Its chalice overflows
With pools of purple colouring the skies,
Aflood with gold and rose;
And some hot soul seems throbbing close to mine,
As sinks the sun within that world of wine.
I seem to hear a bar of music float
And swoon into the west;
My ear can scarcely catch the whispered note,
But something in my breast
Blends with that strain, till both accord in one,
As cloud and colour blend at set of sun.
And twilight comes with grey and restful eyes,
As ashes follow flame.
But O! I heard a voice from those rich skies
Call tenderly my name;
It was as if some priestly fingers stole
In benedictions o’er my lonely soul.
I know not why, but all my being longed
And leapt at that sweet call;
My heart outreached its arms, all passion thronged
And beat against Fate’s wall,
Crying in utter homesickness to be
Near to a heart that loves and leans to me.
Drifting
Oliva Ward Bush-Banks
And now the sun in tinted splendor sank,
The west was all aglow with crimson light;
The bay seemed like a sheet of burnished gold,
Its waters glistened with such radiance bright.
At anchor lay the yachts with snow-white sails,
Outlined against the glowing, rose-hued sky.
No ripple stirred the waters’ calm repose
Save when a tiny craft sped lightly by.
Our boat was drifting slowly, gently round,
To rest secure till evening shadows fell;
No sound disturbed the stillness of the air,
Save the soft chiming of the vesper bell.
Yes, drifting, drifting; and I thought that life,
When nearing death, is like the sunset sky:
And death is but the slow, sure drifting in
To rest far more securely, by and by.
Then let me drift along the Bay of Time,
Till my last sun shall set in glowing light;
Let me cast anchor where no shadows fall,
Forever moored within Heaven’s harbor bright.
At Sunset
Emily Pauline Johnson
To-night the west o’er-brims with warmest dyes;
Its chalice overflows
With pools of purple colouring the skies,
Aflood with gold and rose;
And some hot soul seems throbbing close to mine,
As sinks the sun within that world of wine.
I seem to hear a bar of music float
And swoon into the west;
My ear can scarcely catch the whispered note,
But something in my breast
Blends with that strain, till both accord in one,
As cloud and colour blend at set of sun.
And twilight comes with grey and restful eyes,
As ashes follow flame.
But O! I heard a voice from those rich skies
Call tenderly my name;
It was as if some priestly fingers stole
In benedictions o’er my lonely soul.
I know not why, but all my being longed
And leapt at that sweet call;
My heart outreached its arms, all passion thronged
And beat against Fate’s wall,
Crying in utter homesickness to be
Near to a heart that loves and leans to me.
Take the time the to gaze at a beautiful sunset and wonder. Take the time to walk outside in the dark night and look up to the sky and wonder. Take the time to let a baby curl his/her fingers around your pinkie and wonder. Take the time to watch birds darting around and wonder. Life is beautiful and full of wonder. We are a part of it. Take time to gaze at yourself in the mirror and wonder. You are a miracle.
Eyesight is a wonderful gift. It is a gift not to be taken lightly. Think of all the joy your eyes bring to you. They see the people you love. They see a sunrise and sunset. They see the brith of a new born child. They see the seasons gradually change. They see birds in flight, a dogs delight at our return home. Grateful for eyes that see. Grateful for the great things they see that uplifts my spirit.
