In the Heart of the Winter

"This winter was exceptionally rough.."

they said.

But, can I let you in on a little secret?

I loved it. I loved the cold wind gushing

through the skyscrapers

at a rate that led our morning commute

to be filled with scarves around our cheeks

and heads buried behind a fully buttoned coat.

Nights would come in, quick, dark and full of icicles.

We'd whine at bars about the 6th blizzard of the year,

but I could never help looking around in awe

as I walked home that night

with bicycles still scurrying on

and snow continuing to fall down.

I loved my third winter in New York. 

There was the night when there was a swamp after every sidewalk

and strangers on the street would spout "this is bullshit"

as we tried to calculate the best place to jump

so the least amount of pant legs would get soaked.

I hurdled over 40 blocks of crosswalks

covered in sludge, and snow, and freezing water

that left me laughing

as I finally made it to my final spot:

that warm studio in the Upper West Side

that radiated an orange warmth on all of the people

hopping from street to street below.

There was the night I took refuge in the hotel

to warm up for just a bit,

to cool my teeth shattering 

and slow my heart.

As I stepped off the elevator,

I saw the glow of the public library through

the darkened panes of glass.

Gasp.

The library has never looked so regal,

filling every inch of the room with the perfect view

and I watched the world go on through the shadows cast

and reminded myself, I am so so lucky. Remembering days earlier

when i cried through the rain, and swore to move away

as quickly as I could. But there, with the light and the snow

I knew I had to stay put, for a few more winters.

There were the mornings in TriBeCa

when I'd climb the subway stairs

and feel the wind hurdling down to greet me

with such a sting it made my eyes water

and i welcomed the sunshine of the last step

with excitement

as the city sparkled a little extra

as the apartments started to showcase christmas trees

and police stations were adorned with shiny ornaments

and each intersection felt like an illustration of

"Christmas in New York."

The windy air is starting to settle over the city

and commutes home from work

now contain sunshine until 7PM

when the sun lazily slips

behind the Hudson

and joggers run a few extra miles

with just one layer of clothing,

and diners eat on sidewalks

as bicyclists ride by

within the warm orange glow.

Goodbye, darkened nights.