Amanda DeSalme, Sunlight

I was walking back to my room yesterday when all my classes and rehearsals were done, and I noticed the sun. My favorite place for the sun to be in the sky is just before sunset, just before the sun breaks against the edge of the earth to bend the light into an explosion of firey colors. It is still full in the sky but low, casting long beams sideways onto the earth and elongating the shadows to make everything seem dimensionally deeper. This is especially glorious in a forest, creating long beams of light and darkness, like light coming in through a windowshade. As I walked I went in a zig-zag-like pattern, catching the beams of golden orange light on my face and avoiding large patches of shadow. I love seeing peoples' eyes in this kind of light. They seem much more alive than under the artificial light in classrooms or dormrooms. This lighting makes me more aware of beings and life and the rotation of the earth, for some reason.

I noticed the sun today also, on my way to class in the morning. Thy sky was filled with dark clouds, threatening to erupt any moment into a downpour of tears, but one small patch of holes in the thick layers of clouds let beams of sunlight reach through. This is another glorious sight, because the particles of water make the actual rays or beams of light more visible, so it is just like the sun a child draws, with lines reaching from the smoldering circle of yellow-orange. Looking at the cloud coverage and light peaking through, I pictured God or some higher being pulling away a patch of clouds to look down at us through the small opening. It was beautiful and almost like a calendar picture, the way the sun was breaking through. Seeing the various playings of the light, I thought about impressionists, and their great attention to light. It is a beautiful thing to capture.

I know large amounts of sunlight can cause skin cancer, but I do believe small doses are necessary for our happiness. I have noticed that in the winter, when I stay inside more often because I'm a wimp who can't handle the cold, I am a little more subdued, saddened almost, and once it is warm enough to ly in the sun like a lazy cat, I am energized and happy to be alive. We really depend on the sun. The vegetables that I love so dearly to eat have their own delight in eating sunlight.

I have realized now why many religions or cultures have a sun god or goddess, or worship the sun in general. It is beautiful, powerful, warm, glorious, life-giving, and wonderful.
All hail the sun!