Out the door I step: boots tied, coat on, hood pulled up, hands in gloves. The dim light of a snowy night engulfs me, as by the house’s light my shadow advances into the yard. My feet crunch soft and my eyelashes turn to ice and the peace of the night surrounds me. The darker forms of trees reaching into the silver sky call to me. I step over to a patch of clean beautiful snow between the hemlock and sassafras trees. The unpacked snow welcomes me as I recline. The cold touch of snow on my face asks me to relax. My mind quiets. All that exists is the sound of snow hitting snow, and the cold on my face. I fall into peace.