Silver gaze through skylight
Wakes me in the morn
Cocoon haze of blanket
Swaddle soft and warm
Outside the air is frosted
I go in gentle dread
Strip the bedwarmed layers
In naked dark I tread
Fleet feet lick with dew
Neath gossamer light of moon
That sheds a half-held hue
Perhaps I woke too soon
Plunge into icy water
Gasp awake alive
Give myself no quarter
Heart pumping overdrive…
The edge of night peels back
The stars begin to hide
Eternal candle flickers
Eclipsed by solar pride
Another day is dawning
Another chance to be
Awake this sacred morning
Open your eyes and see.
Anonymous submission, March 2023