Sunset

It was not just an exercise – it was a symbolic gesture that moving forward and leaving behind today was just fine, as tomorrow will, yet again, be another "today". Never to be outdone by the inescapable memories of yesterday. It was not just a routine – it was a ritual of being – one that reminded him that cleansing the mind and spirit was just as important as nurturing the body. Time to stop. The run was quite exhaustive. The goal was near. There it is, always available – no one else liked the spot, it was too worn and rugged, a perfect place for the introvert-loner willing to avoid company as much as possible. The bench pinned into his body with sharp pangs while the slight etchings of wooden slivers drove threw the skin. It was not the most comfortable position yet it was easily forgettable as the view was "mesmerizing" - so beautiful that one would think heaven had cast a spell upon the Earth. Attempting to keep his mind free of unfocused thoughts, he gazed upon the sprawling ocean, with sparkling and glittering waves that danced upon the protruding rocks – splashing into white foamy bursts. As the tide slowly retreated he could hear the subtle sounds of knocking and rolling as the submerged rocks churned beneath, realigning their positions to guard the ocean floor. The sun was beginning to set. The luminous, effulgent and blinding glow begin to turn from yellow, toning to red, and finally to an orange hue that penetrated the surrounding clouds – giving them a fluffy cotton white contour with a translucent inheritance of the surrounding colors. It was the final attempt to protect the sky from the imminent darkness. As the sun was just settling into the ocean, for the long sleep, twilight sang its final chord with beautiful colors cascading the sky – a surreal "light show" that felt spiritual yet remained Earthly. The darkness crept up on the horizon. The moon begin to glimmer while the protective stars took their turn revealing themselves upon the infinite grandeur of space – finally, to pronounce their dominance of the night sky.