Day's End

This is an actual letter I sent out to friends and family. It sort of just came out in this story-style, but it was kind of neat, and the remarks I recieved persuaded me to put it up here. It's just what I call a ramble. I tend to have a lot of them. ; ) Hope you enjoy.

May 12, 1998

Day's End

I've had a horrible day, and at last I'm leaving work. I gather up my backpack and say goodbye to Elaine, who says last time she was out, it was really raining hard. I'm thankful I brought my green and white umbrella, which I show her. It's huge, and just the thing. At least now I haven't been lugging it around all day for no reason. I stop in the small entryway and try to call home for a ride. Line's busy. Big surprise. I walk out the doors. First thing I notice is the rain, because I'm not yet to the edge of the overhang. It's light really, not hard or fast, but not an annoying drizzle either. Real rain, with good-sized drops. Still have to use my umbrella. Then I see the sky. And the rainbow.

The sun is setting, already behind the building at my back, throwing its light onto the darkest curtain of rainclouds right before me. It seems to soak the light right up. And arching overhead is the biggest rainbow I've seen in a long time. I can see the full bow too, not half or even just spots, but the whole thing. A fainter but distinct second rainbow arcs over the first. The main one is brilliant, so bright, especially at the ends, that it glows. The vibrant colors seem to light up the very black of the sky that outlines it so well. People coming out of the library, like me, stop and stare, smile, exlaim, point. One guy turns to me and says,

"Let's go get the pot of gold." He smiles, and so do I. "Great, isn't it?"

"Yes," I agree wholeheartedly. After a moment, he moves on, even in the rain, never looking away. Two girls coming out behind me stop as well.

I wish I could show my friends, so distant or momentarily out of reach. "Look," I'd say, and stand there. I want to share it with someone who is missing out. I settle for running in to Elaine and dragging her outside. She, like everyone else, looks, and smiles, and wonders. When the inner prompting of her responsibilities takes her back inside, I stand for a while more. I curse my lack of a camera, and wish there was some way to capture the moment for later -- reach out and grab the picture I see before me, the background of dark cloud that makes the streak of colors stand out so brightly, glowing and almost tangible. They'd be softer than velvet. There is no wind, it isn't cold. The warm colors seem to have chased away the chilling breeze of barely an hour before. I can smell grass and water and rain.

After a time, I open my umbrella and step out onto the wet green lawn, the light rain tapping gently overhead. I make for the two-story building across the way. The only method I have to reach all those I'd share it with is inside, and although I've been staring at a computer screen for a long time, I'm about to do some more. Writing this letter is the only way I have to take a moment and share it with those who I care about. I might even succeed to a small degree. In any case, my steps are lighter, my day no longer quite so dark.

'Night all,

Kaz