In writing class yesterday, Mert offered a blank verse description of sunrise. I knew exactly what he was talking about. especially since our clock "sprang ahead" I have been watching sunrises. My windows look due east. I think Kipling was wrong in his simile "like thunder out of China 'cross the bay". Gorgeous, yes, and a moment comes when the golden half-circle of the sun seems to spring full circle from behind the still bare trees (some fir trees are on the horizon too). I've been trying to think of a better simile -- yes, I dare think this memorized, often quoted line of poetry sounds magnificent but isn't quite true. The full sun suddenly blinds me -- more like lightening than thunder, but that's not really right either. Can't offer anything....
But Mert did explain, which, in truth I don't understand, why within a week the place on the horizon from which the sun rises has moved definitely northward. A week or slightly more ago it was directly in front of me. Now it's over to the left several degrees. Says Mert, "the timing near the solstice is a sine curve; so it does appaer to change positions more rapidly than it does near the equinoxes." Okay -- I see it, but I need much more explanation if I am to understand.
Although, in truth, I don't need any explanation. I look at the colors spreading across the sky -- that wonder holds my attention each morning.
5 comments:
Some might call it "paralysis through analysis" but, your skill as a recorder of all that is beautiful in nature gives you the freedom of movement that allows your reader to appreciate what you are seeing in your sunrises.
Thanks, Lynn. We don't get sunrises like that every day.
Just simply beautiful.
Sometimes the scientific explanations can be put aside for the meaningful personal experience of the grandeur. -- barbara
Thanks, everyone. Sometimes men just have to explain things -- have you noticed that too?
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