A Cold Bleakness

The snow squeaks under the boots of the men walking across the field. It is so frozen that it crushes against itself. Sometimes they step onto a soft spot and sink into the powdery white. They laugh and continue onward to the tree line. Their breath mingles with the cold air making clouds of white that match the wintery floor.

There is almost no sound except a distant bird calling for its mate or the light rustle as the wind brushes the pines, the only trees left to provide color on this landscape. And then the squeak of the snow as they continue forward. Bundled in their hats, gloves and heavy coats to be protected against the element of the frozen world around them.

I turn away from the screen and lean back on the grass. The park around me is a sea of green with a ceiling of bright blue sky overhead. I stand and look around at the dogs playing and families picnicking this beautiful sunny day.

The sun beats down on my face and a slight breeze rustles my hair. I rub my arms against the chill and wonder if I should have brought a jacket. After all, it is January which means winter. I know it is because there were people walking through snow on the news. Maybe I will drive to the mountains to see snow one of these days. But not today. No, today I will enjoy this desert winter day.