Our Mind's Eye

A couple of weeks ago, while on a walk with my daughter at the base of nearby mountains, 

We had the incredible good fortune to be enveloped in the most magical sunset we've ever experienced.

A light mist must have hung in the air, as a pinkish glow surrounded us in the near dusk. 

Everything appeared oddly clear though, 

As if a clean new lens passed before our eyes, 

Endowing us with immortal vision. 

As we glanced at the twinkling lights in the valley below, 

We felt transported to a different time and place.

Through these gifted eyes, we'd been moved to heaven's door; 

We'd entered a master's painting.  

An enormous, brilliantly bright rainbow had formed almost above us in the East, 

Quickly mimicked by a shimmering twin that hovered like an echoing crown over the mountains. 

And then we truly felt the life surrounding us as its glowing colors drenched the air we inhaled; 

We became part of the dance. 

We reached out, trying to grasp the stuff, 

Trying to understand what it was made of and why it made us giggle.

To the West, our sun melted into the distant mountain range, transforming it to liquid gold. 

It dripped from the sky as though Midas' hands had swept across the far horizon, 

And all we should do to claim endless fortune was run with the wind and catch it. 

It was the gold that should've been with us under our rainbow. 

Back and forth our eyes darted, attempting to see both at once, to feel both at once.

Oh, and miracle; Mother Nature wasn't done yet. 

Massive rumblings crashed over the earth and the ground under our feet shook, 

Warning us of danger to the South. 

We ripped our eyes from our fairy skies, 

In wonder yet again as a swiftly flying storm raged toward us, 

Casting shadow over the peaceful valley. 

Flashing, flashing, lightning bolts tore from the heavens,

And their growling voices reached us in long, low threatening breaths. 

And then cool rain spattered our upward turned faces. 

I chose to not take any photos.

I told my daughter, "Focus hard on the scene you want to remember, 

Then close your eyes and see it in your head. 

Do it over and over, until it's clear, and remember how you feel right now. 

Your eyes only catch half of what you're experiencing--

Your heart can catch the rest."

Sometimes, the most beautiful visions are the ones we see in our mind's eye.