The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled. Each evening we see the sun set. We know that the earth is turning away from it. Yet the knowledge, the explanation, never quite fits the sight.” -John Berger from Ways of Seeing
I was walking on the beach a couple of evenings back, at the end of the day. When I first went out, with about 45 minutes of sunshine left, I was virtually alone; maybe three or four other people were out, wandering. As the sunset neared, people were drawn out of homes up and down the beach, many actually brought deck chairs and settled in, a few even got ready to start small bonfires to enjoy in the coming darkness, but all of them were facing the sun, watching it descend. By the time the sun lowered in the sky to touch the ocean, there were probably a few dozen spectators.
I sat on a dune and watched the people and the sun with equal fascination. If you didn't know any better, it might have appeared as if we didn't believe the sun would come up again, and this was a goodbye party. But also, it was stunning. Who could not watch something so beautiful, so rich, and so fleeting, even if it happens every night?
I can't count the number of times as I've driven home on an evening, I've been compelled to pull over and capture the sunset. I know the sun will set again tomorrow, and the day after that, and be just as--if not more so--beautiful. But something about the act of the sun slipping out of sight is, as the quote above implies, mysterious.
When was the last time you watched the sun set? How about a sunrise?
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What a lovely post! I could feel that beach in your sunset photo. So wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThe sun is magnetic. You can't help wanting to watch the sunset... or the sunrise. It is good find enjoyment in beautiful things.
Last evening we took the last ferry home from Victoria... and the sun was just setting as we approached Village Bay. It was truly spectacular.
I cannot look at a sunset or a sunrise and not think about God... the master artist at work... and no two are alike.
I can't remember the exact wording of the quote or who to give credit for the thought... but it goes something like "the sad thing about being an atheist is looking at a sunset and not knowing who to thank."
It is nice having Someone to thank for the sunsets, tis true. :)
DeleteThat photo makes my shoulders relax, my heart rest and causes me to sigh (in a good way).
ReplyDeleteThank you for a beautiful mid-week moment.
It was very lovely to sit there an enjoy the moment, Ma. You would have liked it too.
DeleteI can't remember the last time I deliberately set out to watch a sunset...I will make a point of it down the Cape this summer!
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