As I go for a walk
after work
I’m just in time to see the sun,
a huge, fiery ball,
as it sinks slowly
behind the Balls on the Falls.

The whole sky reflects
the gentle orange glow
of a sunset
that is beautiful,
calming
and peaceful.

I turn a corner
and the huge sun disappears,
slipping quickly behind
a tower block of flats.

I smile to myself,
fascinated by the way
that this beautiful, enormous sun
can simply vanish
in the blink of an eye.

It reminds me of a game
that my Mammy used to play
with babies.
She would hide her face
behind a cushion,
singing out, “Theresa’s away!”
only to bounce up
a few seconds later,
calling out,
“Cuckoo!”

Babies used to laugh and giggle
excitedly,
delighting in this game of surprises.

The road straightens before me
and the sun slinks out again,
resplendent still
in its fiery glory.
and I can almost sense the sun
calling out, “Cuckoo!”

And I have a sense
a fun-loving God
who is taking delight
in the beauty of His sunset.
I have a sense
that on this walk
My God is engaging in playful antics
and playing a divine version
of the game “Cuckoo”.

© Claire Murray, 27th November 2014