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"Melancholy" was once described by French poet and novelist Victor Hugo as "le bonheur d’être triste" — “the happiness of being sad”. I personally think that there are few things that physicalise this idea better than a sunset — an extravagant, yet sombre coda to the daylight that signals a return to the darkness once more.

The poem that this kupu whaiaroaro (soliloquy) is based upon was written about such a sunset — one that I observed on Valentines Day, 2019. It was a clear, cloudless evening atop Mt Victoria in Devonport, Auckland. The city centre was in full view, as was the harbour bridge moving onto the North Shore. The harbour rocked gently in the calm summer breeze.

As the sun made its slow descent to the horizon, its light only seemed to shine even brighter than it did before. Harsh blades of sunlight sliced across the almost-still Waitematā, and the buildings and construction cranes of the city seemed to glow. As the sun grew ever closer to its slumber, so did its daytime splendour grow more powerful. It grew more and more difficult to look away. Time slowed to a crawl as its terrifyingly beautiful light filled every inch of my soul. I was numb to feeling anything else — only a gold-kissed awe, and a sadness in its departure to the realms of sleep.

This piece is an ode to the violent glamour of the sun, and its ever-present glory in all moments of its journey across Te Ranginui.

Hurihia to aroaro ki te ra tukuna to atarangi kia taka ki muri i a koe
Turn to face towards the sun, and let the shadows fall behind you