The spectrum unnoticed
It rained all day, but just as the sun was about to set, it dropped below the edge of the cloud, and lit up the whole city with warm glittering light. I rushed out into the city, trying to get a good east view. A few people were out, huddled in doorways and under awnings, trying to avoid the rain. No one seemed to be looking up. I made it as far as Pike Street, where I encountered a tourist diligently taking a picture of the big neon Market sign. A commendable ambition, to be sure, but it meant he had his back to the brilliant rainbow spanning the city skyline.
"No! Look the other way!" I said to him, as I went by. He turned, puzzled, and I said "There's a good rainbow, and the sign will still be there in two minutes, but the rainbow will fade." He didn't get it. I didn't press the issue, because I was more interested in getting a little farther up the block, so I could get a decent shot. Why am I still surprised when people are so indifferent to the spectacularly beautiful things happening around them, above their heads, behind their backs? How can they not notice? How can they not care? What is wrong with the human race, that they're so damned oblivious?
On the other hand, when I went back to my own building, I could see some other person on the roof, with a camera. That made me feel better.
"No! Look the other way!" I said to him, as I went by. He turned, puzzled, and I said "There's a good rainbow, and the sign will still be there in two minutes, but the rainbow will fade." He didn't get it. I didn't press the issue, because I was more interested in getting a little farther up the block, so I could get a decent shot. Why am I still surprised when people are so indifferent to the spectacularly beautiful things happening around them, above their heads, behind their backs? How can they not notice? How can they not care? What is wrong with the human race, that they're so damned oblivious?
On the other hand, when I went back to my own building, I could see some other person on the roof, with a camera. That made me feel better.