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Eclipsing Beauty and the Dawning of Insight
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
I’ve circled the Sun 70 times and only dared to stare at it twice as it shone brightly overhead.
As the moon eclipsed the light that we daily take for granted, I looked up. Stars and planets appeared in what had been full daylight.
In those brief moments of darkness we are made aware of the ephemeral beauty, the transience of so much around us.
We, along with our astronomer son, had traveled to Hopkinsville, Kentucky for the August 21 total eclipse of our blazing star. Along with quite a few others.
Several Ricochetters have written engagingly about the science behind, and the human experience of, a total eclipse of the Sun: anonymous, The why-fors of being there. @midge, The local color.
My experience was colored by this past year’s challenges. Close and dear family members have struggled with serious illnesses, surgeries, and life concerns. My perspective has broadened with their resonances.
As children we are innocent and unaware of the aging process accompanying the passage of time. We played, cavorted and sunburned, and were indifferent to the timeless motions of the stars, planets and the Sun passing overhead. These celestial bodies have not changed, but mine has as I’ve journeyed for decades on this transit through space.
But, Trink … where is your take on the topic of beauty? Yes, yes, we’re getting to that.
As I said: In those brief moments of darkness we are made to appreciate the light that we take for granted, the light that makes life possible on this bright blue marble.
As we traveled home again, my senses were more keenly attuned to the wonders we experience on this planet; the modern advances and conveniences that usually don’t elicit a second glance. A highway overpass, the train that moved past us with massive tanks and flatbeds of steel. The pumps at the filling stations, the convenience foods, handed hot and tasty through small windows. The flood of humanity enjoying comfortable lives in the towns and cities drifting beside the miracle of the highway system.
There’s also the cell phone that I’d used to photograph the giddy crowd during the eclipse, and my ability to send those pictures through the air to distant states from the back seat of an air-conditioned car. Beautiful.
I was looking forward to getting on this computer, where magically I could share my thoughts about my heightened awareness following the eclipse. Yes, share it with people who want to explore too, and who will hopefully indulge my inclination to share a poem entwined with sunlight.
Dang nab it. Those links to John and Midge don’t work. Dang.
UPDATE: Fixed ’em :) Sort’a
Gorgeous photo, Trink. And I so love the poem and identify with it. There’s beauty and magic all around, isn’t there?
Oh Susan . .Thank you. I can only claim credit for the poem . . . the incredible picture was nabbed from the University of Southern Maine Planetarium webpage.
To call out the mighty Midget Faded Rattlesnake, one only needs @midge.
Outstanding post, Trink.
Outstanding.
Wow. I actually did as you helpfully recommended and it still wouldn’t turn blue. I had to insert the link into the @midge. I think this has something to do with electromagnetic disturbances created by the eclipse. ;)
You sweetie! Thank you.
I’ve read that magnificent poem three times now. What a treasure. I love it. It’s really beautiful.
Thank you. :)
You rang?
Oh Marci. . . . Thank you. You not only just made my day . . you’ve made my month! Heck. I could go out further, but then I reveal myself as being “needy’ :D
OOPS!!! Wrong number!!
Mommmmieeeeee!!!
And as incredible as the picture is it was nothing compared to the real thing. I like many others, sort of blew off the eclipse totality. My wife talked me into going down and seeing it since it was a few hours drive away. Up until totality it was just like any other eclipses I have seen. At totality, magic occurred. The solar system showed a small bit of the beauty it contains. A beauty that no picture can capture, no words can describe, it can only be experienced. I now understand why ancient people’s thought that it was a sign from God. It was, for only God can create such beauty at such a scale in so casual manner. Only his creation can witness this beauty. appreciate it and maybe understand a small bit of God’s accomplishment.
Amen, my friend.
Beautiful as always.