Quieting Cold

Evenings after a snowfall call me

to walk within

to cease the mindless chatter

“Pray.”

Hail Mary….

Our Father…

I say in silence

for friends…

Mr. Mendoza waves through the window, smiling

for strangers, too

those close by

in pain behind a neighbor’s door

and under another sky

in the fire, in a land at war.

Sunset at Lake Michigan’s shore in January. Photo by author.

Geese fly. Cars crawl.

Walkers seek the train in a hurry

a woman needing money holds out her hand

the bright lights of a shop hope for demand

need often feeds our worry.

The wind whips my face.

Leaves blow by in a race.

“Listen with the heart,” I hear

the sunset, a distant candle

the coming dark, a soothing mantle

once more,

I pray…