Morning Runs in Winter

I use to go for runs in the morning
Even during basketball season
When I’d have long practices
In the afternoon
And I’d walk home
Tired, cold and sweaty
In the dark and windy
Winter evenings


But morning sun
In the cold would refresh
My skin with the sharp stings
Of subzero air
As I’d kick my legs into gear
Pacing out a familiar pattern
Of step after step after step
On the packed snow on the streets
​

Of my hometown routes
No cars or life to disturb my thoughts
That early in the morning
Just a crunch... crunch... crunch
Of the tight cold snow
Squeaking
under the weight
Of my Nikes.