a moment in early morning

freshly washed pavement
shines, unfamiliar depth to its
color, as damp earthiness
rises from the planters full of
bright geraniums, almost red, almost

orange – a chill in the air
invigorates as I fall in step with the crisp
click-clacking of purposeful feet moving down the
sidewalk to a breakfast companion’s
embrace or to a quiet table overlooking the mostly-empty
street, a newspaper, book, or journal
in hand – my path leads me past a closed
shop hiding flurries of activity, preparations
begun in advance of a busy day, even though the day
won’t begin until eleven when patrons start crossing
the threshold – soon the tables
fill, movement drives away the
reflective mood,
and the world
catches
up.

© 2019 Jacqueline Tisthammer. All Rights Reserved.