I woke with a chilly cold autumn day.

Put on my running shoes 

and guzzled my coffee.

Stepped outside to start a jaunt

zipped my sweatshirt and 

double knotted my shoes.

I look upward to the black sky,

no stars, the storm left remnants 

of a cloudy morning and cool breeze.

Stepping one foot in front of the other

my body began to warm up. 

Soon the pace was decent enough 

I passed a few others, just a few

The world is not visited often 

with twilight runners. 

Dropped acorns the size of walnuts

lay trepidatiously in my path, 

hidden under leaves and branches.

I cautiously step into the places 

of shadows and lights, glare

by streetlights and car lights.

Finishing, I see reflection from the sun

just peeking into the dark horizon

giving way to a more cemented pace.

I see the car and start to slow down,

A feeling only a run can pass on,

accomplishment of the now. 

I walk to the car, feeling the breeze 

I look to see someone near and then I 

remember; to smile. 

CMM  2021