Coldness

Sometimes I know, even before I wake up, that the world will be cold
The air, the earth, the people
It can be as if the thermostat was set too low and everything is withdrawn and everyone is keeping to themselves

Even when this is how the day starts, even on the coldest of days, there can be surprises, little secrets that are revealed to show how things aren't as cold as they seem
That maybe coldness is just one flavor of day
One flavor of many

Like hot chocolate, or frosty breath, or the giggles of children when they speak of silly things among themselves

I prefer warm days, the way sunshine feels on my skin and the way the days are long
But even in the dark of winter, there are things that bring me joy