Warmth

The moon was particularly beautiful tonight

standing there looking almost spellbound

the artist in me creative juices starting to rise.

I thought about getting my camera set up

to capture the narrow, slivermoon

just over the mountaintop ridge,

treetops shimmering with the steady wind . . .

just enough light left

to make a great shot.

Then the 24º windchill reminded me

of how beautiful it is to be warm.

Now the creative juices are cooling down

my socksfeet warming beside the fire.

That moon will have to reside in my memory

as well as all those stars.

— Raymond Whitaker