Winter Solstice

Written by: Adrienne Yeardye

 

when I awoke

my nose was so cold

and the blankets 

warm and heavy

 

arriving late in the dark

I hadn’t noticed the curtains

yellow checkerboard and new

frost covering the windows

 

there were others awake

now above

footsteps and laughing

the quiet smell of coffee

 

I dressed quickly

not leaving the bed

a baseboard heater

clicking to keep up

 

the sun just warming the snow

and I stepped back out into the black and white

morning

my breath before me

 

I followed the footsteps

to the end of the dock

and greeted the light 

with fresh heart