Night

There is something hidden deep within our brains that gives us as humans the distinct ability to decipher day from night with any of the senses.

Hearing: Nighttime is much quieter than the day, but also much more chaotic. One has to focus on the silence to hear the night. The sounds of the birds chirping are no longer drowned out by the rumble of cars driving by. Very faintly, as if it is far off in the distance, the buzzing of an audience of crickets. The rainfall during the day has made the nearby creek rush with water, creating a soft backdrop for the crowded sound of what seems like thousands of frogs ribbiting over one another.

Seeing: It is a rare moment to see the true night sky and not one corrupted by light pollution. It is a truly magnificent spectacle. The stars shine like they do in the movies where the night sky has no choice but to be perfect. What's far more incredible than that is the space between those bright spots strewn across the sky. Until a clear night is seen, where the endless abyss is the blackest of blacks, one does not notice the deep purple tint to the night sky.

Taste & Smell: As these two senses are so closely linked, it is only natural that night can be defined by them in tandem. Walk outside, close your eyes, and cover your ears. You will begin to notice the purity of the air you are breathing in. The faint taste of the food being made inside no longer lands on your tongue and the rich, smoky smell of your neighbors' fire does not fill your nose. Rather there is a much fainter, almost sweet aroma. The cool air mixes with the smell of the budding flowers that creates a smell unique to the night. Without the sun beating down on the vegetation, the strong and beautiful odor can be released from the multitude of night-blooming cereus.

Feel: Instantly one notices the dramatic shift in temperature at night. The sun has fallen below the horizon, and one cannot reap its rewards any longer. The safety net that is the sun is gone, and one is left completely to the most primal means of survival. The wind picks up, and the slight tickle of mosquitoes crawling across skin becomes much more apparent.

And it is night.