The harsh sound of the alarm clock
rings
I wake up and drag myself out of bed
Throw on my clothes
shorts, tee shirt, sneakers
Slide downstairs
Fill a bottle with water then slip outside

It’s still dark out
There’s a mist lingering from the night
A cold breeze touches me and I shiver
I begin to walk
Down the driveway.
I skirt a spider web,
Barely visible in the dim morning.


An owl hoots
Bats flutter overhead
Returning to their hidden home after a busy night
I ignore them,
Moving swiftly along
Until
I reach
the road

Then I start, walking at first, then running
Alone in the dark
Everything is quiet except the rustling of little creatures
hidden by the trees
A rabbit hops across the road but that’s all
the company I have
Everything else is still and silent.