Sunset

Who?

Who painted the sunset tonight?

Who spilled the bright orange just above the horizon and let it run right back towards the approaching night?
as if to say:
You can’t have me yet!

Who smudged the flow of the fading sun with dirty gray clouds?
as if to say:
You can’t look at me yet!

Who drew the jet stream across the top?
as if to say:
There! There’s where the day ends!

And who hung a perfectly round full moon over on the other horizon and allowed it to reflect a most glorious pink?
as if to taunt the day into its resting place!

Thanks.
I GOT THE MESSAGE!

Reply

Us!

Billy and Johnny and me. We're the ones who did it.

We noticed you driving along at your usual time, concentrating in your usual way, so serious - "lost in yourself" as the adults say. So we did it.

We weren't sure exactly what would happen. All of us at one time or another had seen you watching us play and reveling in the splendor. You never knew who we were or what we did.

But the sense of peace that washed over you each time stuck in our minds. That was all we wanted. For you to breathe deeply, be at ease and savor the contentment that we seemed to be able to compose in your soul.

Billy was the one who kicked the orange over. He didn't realize that it would spread as far as it did. He must have been a little angry with you - ignoring us like that!

So, when I realized that we might get into trouble, I grabbed the nearest rag and started spreading the color around. Why I got the thunderstorm cleaner, I don't know. Still, the effect was rather unique. Billy took the cumulus paintbrush and added hints of silver lining. When I told him to stop, he twirled around and ran away in a fit. As he threw the brush back at me, it streaked across the whole creation, leaving that jet stream thing.

I made Johnny rush around the long way with the moon. I thought it might distract you from the broken sunset. He worked hard to pump it up and hang it so dangerously low. We were all lucky that he got it lined up just right so you could see the reflection of our evenings masterpiece. Boy, you should have seen the smile on his face when he got back.

I hope we didn't cause your insides too much commotion. I was rather concerned when I heard you asking those questions. I did see you eventually smile, and when you finally relaxed and took in that deep breath, we all came home, knowing our day was worthwhile.