The Sunset is Beautiful, Isn't It?

This poem was written to reflect on the beauty in endings. I've always loved going to see the sunset with my friends in Point Lookout, Long Island. It's a very meditative, calming routine I fall into over the summer, where I end up craving evenings in solitude with my closest friends and we end up having deep talks about life, our futures, our pasts, and feelings that never come to the surface until the sky is painted at the close of the day. This is a rough draft of a poem that will be featured in Cathartic. Thank you for reading!

I’d watch the sunset every single night,

fifteen miles from my childhood home. 

I recall every instance, every fight,

everything I’ve ever known. 

I think about how growing up,

my house was four bare walls. 

We have so much to catch up,

we have no time at all. 

The sunset is so beautiful, isn’t it?

The ending is near, it simmers

like the fall breeze, frigid

saying goodbye to the summers. 

The close of the day, the end of it all,

the ring of a school bell, a token of fall. 

The sunset is so beautiful, isn’t it?

I love you, but this is the end. 

And now, if time would permit,

I’d love the chance to start again. 

We don’t have all day, our time is up,

I’m in my first car speeding to Long Beach. 

The northern state is backed up,

my curly brown hair shows streaks of sun bleach. 

The sunset is beautiful, isn’t it?

I love you, but our time is over. 

The sky is dimly lit,

I don’t remember getting older. 

The close of the day is so beautiful,

as it all turns to darkness. 

At the end of this crucible,

I will be defeated regardless.