The night slowly encases the city
the river flows on toward the lake
birds shiver in the biting chill,
the street light flickers and goes out,
the wind whistles around the windows,
snow begins to coat the trees’ bare branches,
a squirrel looks up forlornly,
the traffic light inexorably changes colors,
TV’s flicker behind curtained windows,
we slide beneath the blankets,
sleep comes slowly to one and all.