Snow Day

I awoke to a world muffled in white. In the grey-blue of the early morning, evergreen boughs were pillowed with snow. And the world was silent. 

I wanted to write, to get this feeling out on paper. But others’ words filled my head before paper was in sight—a text, then two. Then a song spun ‘round in my brain, washing my words and replacing them with lyrics that will stay with me throughout the day.

I stepped outside. Strands of my just-washed hair began to freeze, reminding me of my childhood when we were bused to swimming lessons in the dead of a sub-freezing, Central New York winter. Whoever thought that was a good idea? 

We had minutes after being in the pool to change back into our clothes and bundle up in boots, coats, mittens, and scarves and get back on the bus. A walk that was just enough time for our long hair, to solidify into clacking, chlorine-infused icicles.

I snapped photos of this white world to post on social media. White world, white sky—the only pop of color is the evergreen peeking though their pillowed weights. The world is quiet. A blissful reprieve in a world filled with the meth-like energy of business and “getting stuff done.” 

I like the quiet. I like the look of snow. I’m grateful for the precipitation in this high desert home. And, while it doesn’t carry the same excitement of my youth, I like these snow days.

©2024 Caitlyn Frost. All rights reserved.