Cold City Night


Swirling white pellets dot the grey sky,
the calico alley cat hides and burrows deep
into his makeshift abode.
The wind howls and wraps itself
around the barren branches
Snapping the thin branches like a whip
cracking the silence.
The street litter twirls around the pavement
skipping across the deserted sidewalk.
The air is arctic, glacial, bitter
A cold weather alert issued
Not fit for man nor beast.
The frigid air leaves frosted stain glass patterns
on my window
A cold breeze seeps through the cracks
of the rotted window pane.
I press my nose against the icy glass and
pull the polar fleece throw closer to my body.
A homeless person sways and bends in the wind
seeking a warm vent to set upon.
I think of the calico alley cat
His eyes wide and untrusting
I recite a short prayer that he is
safe and warm from the night’s frosty wrath…

©2007 Christine Cristiano

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