The Disappearing Night

Early winter mornings are the loveliest time of day in the loveliest season. I walk outside into crisp stillness and silence. There is nothing but an ebony expanse above dotted with tiny specks of light.

It takes my breath away every time I see it.

And today it wasn’t there.

I knew it was coming.

Each morning the peace grew shorter until this morning when there were no stars at all. The forest softly stirred with life breaking the quiet. And before I returned to the house, a streak of light broke the sky.

Right on time, they marked mid-winter and heralded the Promise of Spring.