Early Winter

A cold blue eye pokes into the vision snow. It stays, scared stiff, behind the frosty window. Winter has come faster than previously expected. Pinecone trees have changed into big snow piles. Mud tracks trail together. Two big feet, two small feet. The man comes from behind. The small girl keeps still. Chuckles press on her ear. It starts to spread warmth. She wonders, pensive. She doesn’t know where the white came from. Where the brown leaves dissolved and disappeared to. Slowly, she hugs her father’s neck.