I roll over.
The glaring red
numbers of my
clock say 12:00am.
I cannot sleep.
Padding silently to
the door, I pull it open.
It is snowing.
Large flakes of snow drift
lazily down from the sky.
One inch already lies on the ground.
Everything seems hushed-quiet.
An ethereal light glows faintly.
The light of the moon amplified by
the thin clouds, and the white snow.
I smile in wonder and joy.
Pulling on a pair of boots quickly,
I run out into the snow, turning
slowly in circles;
Face and palms turned up
towards the sky.
I whistle quiet and low.
A figure appears in the still-open door way,
Hesitates, then runs to my side.
Katie, my border collie, ecstatic
At the sight of snow.
She prances, impatient at my side,
Awaiting my command,
That will release her from her
Self-imposed duty.
I smile.
“Go on, Katie,”
I urge.
“Go play.”
She takes off like a bullet,
Streaking across the snow,
And biting it playfully.
I laugh at her antics.
I, also, find my composure
Slipping.
I run out to be with her,
Running and laughing, and
throwing snowballs.
I shiver and rub my bare arms.
It is COLD out here!
I race back into the house,
calling Katie quietly.
I snuggle into bed, feeling
her reassuring weight,
at my side.
I smile,
Roll over,
And instantly fall asleep.