Toward The End Of The Year

There were a few gum drops still left in the candy dish. He noticed someone had left him his favorite green ones along with the purple and white ones his friends didn’t like as much. That day after Christmas can be quite startling, the glitz and glamour slows down and too many brings the season to a halt. I looked out my window and decided to head for the parks, having numerous state areas real close. The land was covered in snow and offered a different vision of its beauty. I was drawn to the brightness and sparkle when looking toward the sun through ice filled plants .A milkweed had shed its casting made from ice, still holding on to the plant, and sparkling bright. A gaze off to the side produced an eagle, snuggled into a perch hoping to stay warm. Even the sparrows looked twice their size all fluffed up to ward off the cold. He walked with a little dog trying to get that perfect shot, his feet feeling the cold. Coming back to his car he slowly melted enjoying the heater filling the air with its warmth. They snuggled and drove farther into the wildlife sanctuary and watched for more to photograph. Looking along the river for eagles he almost missed the sparkle of a hedgerow on the other side of the road. He slowed and got out again, this time adding another layer of gloves and a scarf to keep warm a bit longer. It felt good finding these hidden patches of beauty and being the first prints in the snow. When he smiled his cold face felt like it was going to break, a steady breeze touched him coming across the prairie. It was worth it having found a number of treasures to enjoy again later in the day reviewing his photos.