3. Run: February

It’s a dark and cold evening

(one of many), but here I am,

breathing, running.

It’s slippery as hell—as its ninth circle—

but I’m glad

to be catching up with the world.

Although I sat at the office all day

and missed the rain,

I can now feel

its aftermath

under my sneakers’ soles.

And I respect this ice and slush

like I respect matches and safety razors

and all the wonderful

dangerous things

that demand your full focus.

So let the cold creep

through my thermal socks—

I don’t mind.

I’ll still outrun it.