There is a duality of mood that accompanies the coming and going of the

sun. Commonly associated with human perceptions of positivity, the

sunrise is often related to qualities including life, hope, even glory. In

contrast, the sunset is frequently associated with mankind’s encounter

with bittersweetness, finality, or death.

Both expressions are present in the meeting of day and night, as

darkness is already present when dawn emerges. There is a

metaphorical struggle before the sun wins out, showcased in its peeking

above the planet’s horizon while the shadow of night shrinks away.

At day’s end, it is darkness’ endeavor to overtake the light, taking its

turn to triumph, often with a dazzling and colorful display. In the

process, the sun eventually sinks into the earth, and from it’s invisible

position, continues to send visible radiation into the atmosphere, often

enhancing the environment with a vibrant luminosity. Then, it’s absence

is manifest.

The meeting of polar opposites - light and dark - is like the clashing of

tectonic plates. They violently collide, push against each other, and

create upheaval. Geologically, the outcome is long term - resulting in the

formation of continents and mountain ranges over billions of years. In

the observed celestial encounter, one overcomes the other, often

creating a resplendent visual fanfare from their impact, and the stage is

reset to begin the very next day. The skirmish is repeated - daily - for

seeming eternity.
 

Never in our history, however, has the sunrise not followed the sunset,

giving one something to look forward to. Lyrically written by Maya

Angelou, “No sun outlasts its sunset but will rise again and bring the

dawn.”


A promising view, then, is that one’s sunset, on one side of the world, is

another's sunrise in the opposite location. It is my hope that this

work serves as a beacon of light, as the sun is always rising.