Warm

Goosebumps I feel rise on my skin,

bitter cold envelopes my face, biting my nose.

I move my hands together to create heat and breathe in them, bringing them to my face for warmth.

Oh, soup, the warmth of steam rushing against my face as I pour hot stew into my bowl.

Snapping out of reverie, I stroll down what was a glade in the months of summer.

Now the end of the equinox has shifted to the winter solstice.

Each day filled with light to heavy precipitation.

Though the worry of frostbite is inside of me, I consider myself content.

The heat has bothered me once it stayed for too long.

Thick clouds layered above me, with little light.

It is now time to get home as I feel the night coming closer.

The sound of my boots falling through snow is all I can hear other than a crisp breeze.

I am wrapped in my multiple shirts and jackets, 2 pairs of pants, a scarf and a beanie.

I thought 2 layers of socks would be enough with my boots.

Oh well.

I continue to stalk home, each step taken with a heavy breath.

The sense of fear crawled on me when I heard a noise behind me, only to be fooled by a hare.

The bristles fallen form a blanket that I break with the soles of my boots.

As I continue to create friction with my mitten covered hands, I turn around for a second to peer back at the tracks of mine.

Thus walking towards home, I see the entrance of trees that signals my arrival.

I walk through the arch of bushes, with evergreens towering overhead.

After emerging through the arch, I am in awe.

The cottage where I belonged was finally placed in front of me.

I now strut towards the house in front of me.

It is now dark and the light I have is the rays coming through the windows.

The steps creak as I walk up them.

I place myself right in front of the door, feet on greeting rug outside.

Shaking off my boots and self, a smile appears on my face.

I hear the familiar voices of laughter and chatter from inside and finally open it.

Delighted at the sight, my family members look my way as I close the door behind me.

All grinning, they invite me over to dinner and I take off my scarf and heavy jacket, then hang them on the coat stand.

Now we eat together, enjoying the aroma of stew and homemade bread loaves.

All of us engage in conversation, talking about old memories with gesticulations, our events of the day and compliments to the cook.

The heat of the small house fills me with joy.

We sit in our small living room, on the couches with throws on our laps.

I sit close to our fireplace, cuddled in my sweater and warm socks next to my siblings.

I take sips from my hot beverage that mother has made for us all.

The crackling sounds of wood almost put me to sleep but I stay awake to enjoy more of this moment.

I stay seated for this time now.

Thinking about my own thoughts from the day.

I ignore the negatives and create more positives in my mind.

How can I be negative when I surrounded by the warmth of my family, the love bond between all of us when even though we do not speak it, it does not mean we hate thou.

I am not bothered by the biting cold anymore, now replaced with blankets and hot beverages.

My hands around my mug bring it to my lips for another drink.

I close my eyes and lean against the couch.

It is now quiet though our minds are loud.

The crackling wood sounds make me want to drift away.

I stare into the fire and smile.

My eyes begin to fall.

I've forgotten of how I might have drifted away, but if I were remember one thing,

It was warm.