Cooling Air
Between inhale and exhale — the season turns.
Inhale.
Earthy smell.
Exhale.
Cooling, fresh air.
Quick - a step forward.
Crunching leaves below.
Another stride.
Forward.
Ringing through.
The pavement dry.
Yet, leaves falling slowly.
Cool, crisp air.
Closed shoes.
Feet not seen.
Short socks on, tight.
Sneakers seemingly scream.
Slippery floor.
Ouch.
Thank you.
Vibrant falling leaves.
Beautiful colors all around.
With dry sky.
Children playing.
Noise.
Oh Joy.
Clouds travel faster.
Their shade in variation.
Nights get longer.
Distances hidden.
Quicker.
The mornings.
Oh, they're colder.
New breath wafts – dew.
Laughter rings colder.
Air catches.
Achoo!
“Bless you.”
Sniffles sound loudly.
The classrooms half empty.
Sick leave trumps.
Teachers stumped.
Silenced.
The children.
No more playing –
Outside.
An earthly smell, cold.
The rain follows.
Grass wet.
Moles.
Running beneath.
Gardens squelching loudly.
Below the feet of people.
Trying to cut –
The trees.
Empty.
Fallen leaves.
Now, the ground.
It's brown; vibrance gone.
Air turns colder.
Morning darkness.
Wind.
Blowing constant.
Fast or slow.
Rain will follow soon.
Wet, cold clothes.
Umbrella – forgotten.
Lost.
Another cold.
Oh, how annoying.
Yet, there’s a smell.
The first cookies.
Oh joy.
Munch.
Cardamom taste.
Packed for school –
Or work, either way.
Cinnamon with coffee.
Brightened day.
Little.
Monsters running.
Candy tastes sweet.
Sugar high – tired parents.
Oh, the memories.
Concerts indoors.
Heavy rain drains.
Ice pellets join slowly.
Carols start playing.
Practicing choirs.
Hymns.
Lights outside.
Streets near mystified.
“When will it snow?”
The question remains.
Still, coldness.
Ice.
Winter shoes.
Best be outside –
The shelves now filled.
Jumpers on rise.
Winter jackets.
Prize.
Joggers run.
Quicker or indoors.
Gyms are now fuller.
The view? Darkness.
Winter hours.
Windows.
Cinnamon – spices,
The smell consuming.
The air below freezing.
Too cold, now.
No snow.
Sigh.
Warmer socks.
Higher boots – chic.
Poetry slams ring louder.
Candles and bathtubs –
Hobbies inside.
Industrial.
Lights, everywhere.
Hot wine – oh.
Crap, bubbles – gone.
Children’s punch, smelling sweet.
Stars outside.
Cold.
But beautiful.
A lone snowflake.
The first of many.
Another sip.
Melting.
Dancing outside.
Crisping sound below.
Slightly covered ground, now.
Children playing.
More.
“More snow!”
Crying – oh no.
Scraped knees, the pain.
A plaster – “Quick!”
Snowflake logo.
Smiles.
Dry tears.
Back to running.
Hot chocolate, after.
Coldness forgotten.
Joy.
Standing there.
Watching. Seizing time.
Spent with loved ones.
Gathering a-round.
Coldness.
Forgotten. Laughter.
Cold air burning.
Icy ground, slippery sound.
Gravel on top.
No falling.
Inhale.
Frozen time.
Air near burning.
Exhale.
Drawing flowers.
On the window.
Crunching below – warmth inside.
Oh, how nice.
Candles lighting.
Wintertime.
About the Creator
ShardsofOrbs
I write stories and poems where the ordinary bends into the surreal — from quiet air and fleeting light to stranger, darker turns. Between stillness and spark, I chase moments that breathe and linger. The whispers might stay with you. :)
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Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts7 days ago in Longevity
Comments (1)
This captured me and threw me right into the moment! Love your poem 💜