Sunset - Poet's Win

Photo by Kelly Rausch

Arizona is famous for some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world, and Scottsdale sunsets like this one treat the eye and warm the heart.

Scientists explain sunsets in terms of the color spectrum, increased distance through which light travels at the end of a day, and how high clouds, together with atmospheric particles, enhance the brilliant oranges and reds by filtering out the blue light that rules the day.

Poets, however, don’t “explain” sunsets, but verbally paint a picture of them through their gifted prose:

“Sunset that screens, reveals --

Enhancing what we see

By menaces of Amethyst

And Moats of Mystery.”

--Emily Dickinson