Flame Dancers
Isn’t it amazing how a single word can become invested with so very much meaning? Marketers know this; good writers know it too.
Let’s play a little game here. I’ll say a single word, and see what emotions, memories, or whatever, comes up in your brain – sorta like a word association thing.
Ready? Let’s play! Here’s my word: Sunset
Now; while you’re thinkin’ (sound of grinding gears), I’ll tell you what it means to me.
An Unforgettable Sunset
Have you ever been privileged to witness a truly unforgettable sunset? Yep; probably several, right? But if I had to pick just one as the best, this would be the one…
I sat in a simple folding chaise lounge on the western coast of the tiny Caribbean island of Aruba. The precise location was at the northern end of Eagle Beach, right up next to a grove of wild Divi-Divi trees. Armed with eyes and mind and camera, I was prepared as best I could for the promise of an evening’s glorious display.
The barest shush-shush-shush of tiny wavelets lapped the rocky shoreline at my feet, gently cooling my bare toes and providing the only background music necessary for the upcoming vista. Playfully caressing my cheek, a soft breeze flowed gently westward as though irresistibly drawn by the rapidly westering sun.
Spread to a ruler-straight horizon like a vast expanse of delicately painted fabric, iridescent turquoise waters gradually dimmed their brilliance, like stage lights announcing the evening’s main event. The calm sea kissed, embraced, then finally consumed the sun in a magnificent, soundless roar as it disappeared below the horizon with the inevitability of Time.
At last, the sun’s final beams began to work their wondrous magic across a slowly darkening sky. Like an exclamation point, a fitting juxtaposition of sailboat and radial rays punctuated the growing lambent display which now graced the sky.
Within minutes, the majestic ballet began as clouds transformed from plain shades of white and grey to multicolored flame dancers across the vault of heaven. Billowy cumulus, stacked low on the horizon, glowed with brilliant overlapping outlines of silver and gold. Above them delicate cirrus brush strokes sketched themselves in magnificent neon blazes as if on a gigantic canvas.
I watched, stunned, as the displays became in equal parts brighter and more breathtaking. A counterpoint of purple- and red-lined clouds underlaid themselves across flaming, high-altitude displays as they drifted unhurriedly across the scene. Rays of glowing, pastel tones lent their bouquets of color to the sky in rapturous wonder.
Like a whisper, the incredible symphony of light and color eventually ebbed away, leaving only stars in its wake. Night’s sultry veil silently cloaked all as the day came to a final and joyous close.
Stirring The Inner Poet
Y’know, practically every time I see a great sunset, I can’t help but recall that particular evening back in Aruba. It was, without a doubt, the most spectacular one I’ve ever had the privilege to witness.
I’ll tell ya; despite the years gone by it remains as vivid as ever. It was breathtaking. It was magnificent. It was… in fact, whatever skill I have with words is simply inadequate to describe the magnificent glory I witnessed that day.
As the evening drew to a close, though, I found myself reflecting on the amazing bounty of Creation, and all that we humans have been given to enjoy. After a few more moments, these few lines came, unbidden, to mind:
The heavens declare the glory of God,
And the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge…
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
- from Psalm 19
Does a great sunset do anything for you? Cause you to grab your camera? Bring out the poet, or the writer, the maybe even the playwright within? Perhaps even inspire adjective-laden blathering? Does the sight of a magnificent sunset bring any favorite lines, quotes, or writings to mind?
If so, then by all means share ‘em, won’t you?
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Photos:
Flame Dance, by Robert Hruzek
Aruba Sunset, by Robert Hruzek
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Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
[...] Flame Dancers [...]
Wow, great details in your writing..I almost feel like I was there!
Robert, we used to go to Longboat Key in Florida quite often when our children were younger, and we’d make a point of watching the sunset. So for me, sunsets suggest family, togetherness, peaceful retreat. Where I live, it’s hard to catch a good sunset, so it’s something very special, although I could never put it into words as beautifully as you did here.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Get to Page 1 on Google with Content Optimization
A sunset is a farewell gift – thanks for having another day of life.
Mariannas last blog post..Upping The Auntie
Wow! What an absolutely beautiful way to describe a sunset! If your words cannot describe the beauty of that sunset, it must have been one beautiful sunset! I could almost see it myself!
Howdy, Bob!
Great post. I particularly liked ‘magnificent, soundless roar’. We’re lucky here in AZ to get those kinds of sunsets all the time, and all it inspires in me is slack-jawed astonishment at the glory of God. But that’s plenty!
Cheers,
Mike
Thanks, Bob, for such a stunning and truly marvelous description of an Aruban sunset. Psalm 19 is the perfect verse to describe such a beautiful spectacle!
Robert,
What a beautiful and eloquent description!
Lillie Ammanns last blog post..Bloggers Unite for Hunger and Hope
I love this sentence, Robert: “The calm sea kissed, embraced, then finally consumed the sun in a magnificent, soundless roar as it disappeared below the horizon with the inevitability of Time.” What a great description! Like everyone, I’ve seen some magnificent sunsets, but haven’t found the words to describe them so well. I do think sunsets play better in the western (than eastern) states because of their broad horizons. But sunrises are also quite nice. Last summer I watched the early morning fog over a lake in New Hampshire be nudged away as the sun rose and revealed waterfowl and early risers already reaping the joy of the day.
Terros last blog post..Common Sense on the Environment!
Robert, I originated from a small town that have a beautiful beach. While I was younger, I always spent my evening time sitting in front the beach watching the sunset… To me, it’s nothing can be compared with the breathtaking sunset or sunrise scenery!
Thanks Bob, A sunset is a farewell gift – always Peaceful and a little surreal. lovely pix too..Thanks
Monica
I love your description of sunset. You tore me away from this cloudy, dreary, and rainy day here in Chicago and took me somewhere nice! Sunsets are simply beautiful things. I love the colors of the sky and the clouds. Now I cannot wait until it warms up again so I can sit in my backyard and watch them. (Our weather has been teasing us, 70 Mon, then 40 the rest of the week).
Cindy
Robert, I’m sure I’ve set it before, but I’m going to say it again:
You have the most truly amazing way with words! Every time I see a bit of literary writing from you (compared to your usual, conversational blog posting) I am just blown away!
Sunsets for me are a rare thing. Well, good ones at least: Being surrounded by buildings in all directions doesn’t give for much of a view. Though, when I do get to watch a good sunset, it certainly inspires the writer within me.
Great post, by the way.
Matt
Matt Haywards last blog post..Bringing Your Characters to Life
I loved the description of sunset. A few days ago I went to the world’s largest sea beach (Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh). I was there when sunset … It was amazing feeling.
@Myrtle Beach Bumm – Thanks, Bumm! Hey, drop by again sometime…
@Brad – Yeah, vivid memories like this always take us back, don’t they?
@Marianna – What a wonderful way of putting it! Thanks for the contribution, Marianna!
@Tabetha – Well, I gave it my best shot, Tabetha; it was some powerful experience, lemme tell ya!
@Mike – Wow, long time no see, Mike! Yep; I imagine you get some pretty fine sunsets in Phoenix, too. Glory!
John – Hey, thanks for the kind words, John. Needless to say, I completely agree!
@Lillie – Yep; I’ve learned over the years how to wax eloquent. ‘Course, you know what wax eloquent means, don’t you? To lay it on thick and polish it to a nice, shiny finish.
Terro – “Last summer I watched the early morning fog over a lake in New Hampshire be nudged away as the sun rose and revealed waterfowl and early risers already reaping the joy of the day.”
Hey, that was a nicely descriptive sentence too, Terro! Good one! I figure if I can get at least one memorable sentence out of each post, then I’ve accomplished my goal.
@Wilson – I’m glad you’ve had the opportunity to enjoy many sunsets, Wilson!
@Monica – Thanks for dropping by, Monica!
@Cidny – Hey, thanks for leaving a comment – you brightened my day as well! Hang on – Summer’s comin’!
@Matt – hey, I appreciate the compliments, Matt. Never thought of it as “literary” writing, but I guess it is compared to the usual blather around here. Eek! Could I be turning into a Literati? Heaven forbid!
@Razib – the “world’s largest beach”? I didn’t know there was such a distinction!
Hey, I’m glad you got to enjoy the sunset, too, Razib. Drop by again sometime, Bubba!
“Does a great sunset do anything for you?”
I’ve found sunsets depressing for years. I’m much more of a morning person. (I heard half of what you accomplish during the day is done before 11am. In my own experience, that’s certainly true.)
The sunset, to me, marks the ending of the day. What did I do? What didn’t I get done? The End draweth nigh, and I am nowhere close to being done. Sunrises are pictures of promise and times of optimism. Sunsets remind me of failures, death, and despair.
Even picturing them as “a farewell gift” implies the sorrow of separation.
(I’d apologize for being depressing, but its your fault for asking. lol)
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This is a very lovely post.
It’s nice to read people blog about how they appreciate the wonders of earth.
The stars in the velvet sky or the beautiful sunset. I like how you introduced your topic. When you mentioned the sunset, memories and dreams come across my mind but the thing is, the wonderful thing is that, you can never picture an ugly sunset. It’s always perfect. It never fails to be perfect. Thank you for this post.
@Rich – Well, if it’s what you feel about sunsets, then I have no problem with it, Rich. You’re right – I DID ask! So…
If we substitute “sunrise” for “sunset” in this post, what does it do for ya then?
@Uprinting – Thanks for sayin’ so, Bubba!
Hey, since you’re no longer a stranger here, how about leavin’ a name? “Uprinting” seems so impersonal, y’know? Heck, if you don’t want to use your own, make one up! “Clint” or “Darla” would work – much less impersonal!