A hard edge against the sunset sky

December 18

Clears off cold after rain. Cross Fair Haven Pond at sunset. The western hills, these bordering it, seen through the clear, cold air, have a hard, distinct edge against the sunset sky. 

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, December 18, 1853

A hard, distinct edge against the sunset sky. Compare December 9, 1859 ("Methinks it often happens that as the weather is harder the sky seems softer."); December 27, 1851 ("The man is blessed who every day is permitted to behold anything so pure and serene as the western sky at sunset, while revolutions vex the world."): August 14, 1854 ("I have come forth to this hill at sunset to see the forms of the mountains in the horizon, — to behold and commune with something grander than man.") See also A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Winter Sunsets and Winter Colors (The solstice)

December 18. See A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, December 18

The hard, distinct edge 

of the western hills now seen

against sunset skies. 

A Book of the Seasons,  by Henry Thoreau, A hard edge against the sunset sky

A Book of the Seasons,  by Henry Thoreau

 "A book, each page written in its own season, 

out-of-doors, in its own locality."

 ~edited, assembled and rewritten by zphx ©  2009-2023

tinyurl.com/hdt531218