My Friend
The Setting Sun.
Rainbows Swirled in the Air.
Deep, Pure Colors Lit up the Sky.
He Appeared like a Young Pagan God.
By Jennifer McGee
Saturday, March 24, 2001.
DATELINE: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Special to corndancer.com
I managed to ostracize myself from the world.
I know. I mumbled all afternoon; moaned, whined, and pouted about my state of loneliness and inward emptiness. Yet at the very moment when I sought companionship over a plate of humanity and carbohydrates at the university cafeteria, I found myself sitting at a table in a deserted corner, all alone — alone from human companionship, that is.
I was actually accompanied by a friend whom I had encountered on my long walk from dorm to dining hall, a friend who cordially invited me to sit and chat for a bit. He didn't have much time to talk before he went west for the evening, but since we hadn't seen each other in quite a while, I felt compelled to spend a few minutes with him.
Has my friend the sunset ever looked as gorgeous to me as he did that evening?
Like a young pagan god, he appeared before me. He was fair of face and feature, slender and strong, with an intoxicating smile, luminescent eyes, and curly locks of pure gold.
Rainbows, Pure Colors, Emeralds,
Diamonds, and the Silvery Moon.
Rainbows swirled in the air around his head like a halo; deep, pure colors lit up the sky and sent chills over me. Oranges as brilliant as tiger's fur, reds sensuous and tempting. Blues streaked above me in wide, paintbrush strokes, oils still dripping with the smoky, dusky azures. A faint band of surprising emerald arched like the back of a cat, pawing noiselessly across the hills under fiery rays of molten yellow and gold. Brilliant diamonds dangling low on the horizon dotted the sky above his head, and the silvery sliver of moon cradled the darkness of oncoming night.
After choosing the table with the best view of my friend, I seated myself and began to converse. "I can hardly remember the last time I've really seen you. I can probably chalk it up to being pretty self absorbed and unobservant these past few months."
The sunset smiled an understanding smile and nodded in agreement, shaking his glinting, golden locks. "I do understand how your first semester of college would be pretty busy, sweet child. You're typical of your species. You humans run yourselves ragged. In times not too far gone, it was impossible to do anything after I made my nightly descent, but nowadays the abundance of artificial light allows you to carry on, full force, even after I have departed. A sad thing, really. You need your precious rest."
"Tell me about it," I replied. "I just came back here to school from Spring break today. I did absolutely nothing, and, let me tell you, it felt wonderful."
A Tough Fry Roused a Longing
For Mama's Great Home Cooking.
I picked up a french fry, slathered it in ketchup, and bit. It was a tough fry, like tree bark on the outside. The inside was cold and slimy. Yuck. I pushed the remaining mound to the side of my plate. "Let me tell you how good it was to dine on real, home-cooked food for a change. My mama can certainly cook!"
"I can imagine," he said. His pearly teeth sparkled in the fading light. "So this is your first day back on campus? Why aren't you eating with friends you haven't seen since before spring break?"
"Well, truth of the matter is that no one has returned yet. I came back early to work at the department store. My friends will be back tonight or tomorrow. Quite honestly, I have been in my dorm room all afternoon, sulking about being alone. I was hoping to find someone here at the cafeteria." Agitated, I picked up my fork and swirled my mashed potatoes like they were a vortex.
"Then why, sweet child, are you sitting back here all by yourself? Go find someone to talk to!" the young god implored.
Once Again I Can Appreciate
The Beauty and Meaning of Life.
"Because I'm visiting with you! I've missed your presence longer than I've missed my other friends. Much to my dismay, I've ignored you. Your appearance makes me stop and reflect on the mad pace I've been setting. You've moved me to reflect on the things I've ignored during my hectic existence. You inspire me and motivate me. You give me a new perspective. In your glorious light I can see beyond my daily, mindless activities and once again appreciate the beauty and meaning in life."
The brilliant youth looked around. He had not noticed his slowly fading presence until then. The reds and golds had melted away and dripped below the horizon, and all that remained were dusky darks of oncoming night.
He turned back to me.
"You speak truly, sweet child. Shortly, I will be gone for another night. For all your youth, you speak with the wisdom of one who has seen my passing many times, but you still have much to learn. May all your days be filled with beauty and clarity, and may you never forget the simple things. I wish you well in your continuing quest for knowledge and wisdom. May we meet again soon."
He flashed a dazzling last smile and fled o'er the hilltops with the very last lingering rays of light.
Alone again, I looked at the macaroni and cheese on my plate. Back to reality! I ate a few bites and washed it all down with some tepid milk. I was sad to see my friend leave, yet happy as I reflected on our visit.
I made a vow then and there to not forsake him again.
Had I Found a Kindred Spirit
In the Fading Glory of the Sunset?
Then, much to my surprise, a human slipped into my solitary cafeteria universe. The young man sat down at a table nearby, facing the last remaining shards of the departing sun. I wondered if I had found another admirer of sunsets and even seriously contemplated talking to this supposed kindred spirit until a young woman came and sat across the table from him. I exhaled. They were a couple.
Why then, I pondered silently, would some yearn for human companionship while others would deliberately seek to avoid it? I envied their happiness; I longed for the companionship they shared. Another wave of loneliness flooded over me, pulling me under, filling my lungs, pressing on every corporeal inch. I shuddered, shrugged, and sighed. I tossed down the last shot of frothy milk, rose from my table, and left.
On the cold walk back to my room, I realized how much I hungered for good food and human contact, for spiritual and emotional fulfillment. I had been partially filled in body, yet it was not fully satisfying. Within a part of my soul, the vacuum remained. Who, or what, could fill it? How long must I wait? I shivered in the cold.
Blessed is he who hungers and thirsts after righteousness, for he shall be filled.
Jennifer
McGee
A
Personal
Note
Written
at
CornDancer's
Request.
I am a freshman at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. This is the beginning of my second semester, and I'm really starting to get into the swing of things. As you can tell from my writing, my college experiences provide excellent fodder for stories. So much goes on around a school campus. From late-night soirees in dorm rooms to the mall food court, from the classroom to the cafeteria, there is always something going on.
Probably the most significant thing I have learned from being here so far is to just look around. You can tell so much about yourself, your peers, and your world in general if you just pay attention. Take the time to sit and watch what goes on around you, and you will realize how rich, full, and interesting everyday life is and how much it has to offer.
Signed:
Jennifer McGee
Jens Hampe of Berlin, Germany,
is the next Saturday's Guest Writer.
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