chicago

gurgling water from the radiator 

sunlight breaking its way through the slats 

in those horrible, plastic-pleated shades 

a plush bed and an even softer body 

softness embodied in a person, asleep

sherbet sunrise contrasting the black naked skeletons of trees in winter hibernation 

contemplation point 

a squirrel's fattened body nested into the nook of a branch,

scavenging breakfast with a lakefront view 

and the geese you heard flying overhead hours ago now floating

in the iridescent ripples of the sunlight waking up across Lake Michigan  

a freezing wind ripping across your skin 

a polar plunge in atmosphere, 

blowing piles of dead, dampened leaves 

into a confetti spiral

fitting for the celebration of another morning 

a still believed in magic 

the first inklings of spring,

hope and the idea of being warm again