Contemplating Sunsets

Carol A. Hand

Photos of a fascinating sunset this spring
made me wonder how many sunsets I’ve missed
during the 26,374 days I have lived

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Sunset May 4 – Duluth hill top

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I don’t remember how many times
I failed to notice which direction was west
in the scores of places I’ve temporarily called home

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Sunset May 4 – descending the hill

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The busyness of striving and surviving
as we travel down winding paths
sometimes keeps us too preoccupied to notice

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Winding down the hill toward the city

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Our vision clouded by so many things
that we believe are more important
than the ever-present beauty around us

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View of the Blatnik Bridge in St. Louis Bay

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Even ordinary scenes become extraordinary
when seen through the lenses of presence
surrounded by those whom we love

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View of the ridge from West Duluth

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Perhaps noticing is especially important
when the clouds roll in promising another chilly rainy night
after the longest coldest winter I remember

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Denfeld High School highlighted

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At a time when the world already feels so dark
I am grateful for the chance to witness and remember
the beacon of momentary but ever-returning light

Note:

These are not the best of photos. They were taken in poor light with an iphone through dusty windows in a moving vehicle. 🙂 Nonetheless, I’m sharing them in hopes they will remind others to find moments to appreciate the beauty and wonder of seemingly ordinary places.

39 thoughts on “Contemplating Sunsets”

  1. Carol, there is something metaphorical about the caveats in your comment about the pictures. Many days, I feel as if we are, indeed looking through windows which are not as clear as we would like them to be. I appreciate your perspective on the sunsets – experienced and missed. 💕

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Ah, yes, Teensy Writer, these days we can’t escape the interplay of nature’s beauty with the increasingly negative footprint of humanity’s thoughtless behaviors. Thank you for sharing your important insights. ❤

      Liked by 2 people

  7. The pictures are beautiful, Carol, the words that accompany them profound. Thank you for sharing them…

    Judging from the perspective, I’m guessing you were in the passenger seat, rather than driving? 😉

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Ah, Lisa, thank you for your kind words and for making me laugh. I wondered if anyone would worry about a driver snapping pictures in city traffic and down winding roads. I am sure some do so. 🙂 As I driver, I don’t even answer my phone. My hands grip the wheel tightly as I try to see 360 degrees at the same time, unless, of course, I zone out on longer highway trips. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  8. We are fortunate to have some days of brilliant sunsets casting golden lights and shadows into our home. And here in rural Alaska is no pollution. That special silence at dusk and sunset is comforting too.

    Liked by 5 people

  9. beautifully expressed views
    of sunsets thru passenger’s eye’s. Carol!
    imagining many other ways
    sunsets have been experienced
    thru the heart of an intuitive motorist 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  13. Very fine post and photographs. You have captured the dark clouds in the sky above the setting sun. Sometimes the sun goes down in a diamond flash, other times the murk closes in. I find those greys hold beauty. About 20 years ago I was injured and couldn’t work. I watched the sun go down in November everyday for about two weeks. It was an amazing gift. I am yet to watch the sun go down that many days in a row. Take care.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Bob, and for sharing your powerful experience and observations about sunsets. Sending my best wishes, dear friend. ❤

      Like

  14. Thank you for sharing lovely photos and a part of your world and thoughts!!.. while I do like sunsets I prefer sunrise because it means the world will come to life and new adventures lie on the horizon… 🙂

    “Life gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.”

    Liked by 1 person

      1. No reason to apologize, you have a life to live and WordPress is just a small part of it… I did not post expecting a reply but to simply share my thoughts… have a wonderful day filled with love and happiness today, and every day… 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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