WINTER SUNRISE

by Krista Allen

I’m pacing again

Waiting for the coffee to brew

Slowly wearing a path in the ugly painted linoleum of the kitchen floor

I’ve got my wetsuit halfway on

The velcro neck closure sticking to my sweater sleeve

I’m not going far but it would be awkward to get pulled over dressed like this

It’s not light out yet as I pull onto the road

The defroster is blasting

I don’t want to hit a deer

Left at The Fork

The sky turning orange over the West Branch

It will be months before the osprey return to their summer homes

Arms fumbling with towels and gloves

Up the beach club ramp

More mermaids are gathered for another return to the sea

An unspoken rush across the sand

40 degree water no match for pink-cheeked smiling faces 

Turning together to welcome the sun anew.