Winter Mornings

Toils of waking and walking up and down the resilient stairs.

A toothbrush at once uncovered and topped.

Backpack and laptop left by the door.

Juice of oranges poured in a petite glass.

Warm boots once cold left by the stove.

Spatters of mud, watery debris across the hopeful kitchen.

A hesitation-

to assess,

to stretch,

to ponder,

to regress.

Such winter mornings in this town.