It was a cold day in November

Winds fought our journey down the river with the force of an army of thousands
Piercing through our pores like venomous darts shot from behind the tall oak trees
Leaves of pink and oranges lay on the ground reminding us of a season passed

In a moment of playfulness, she straddled a fallen branch.  Head to toe in a long black overcoat and hat.  So beautiful; so youthful

For an instance I saw a little girl with a smile of innocence
Ready to play in the swift autumn freeze

It was a cold day in November

Mountains closed in fear of icy danger ahead
Rocky waves spiral the water down the river bend

I caught her faint screams, “Come on, let’s play by the river”
She ran and leaped over branches without delay
Beating the winds and winning the race

I caught up and felt the rush of a long hug at the finish line
She smiled
Cold and fragile
Happy and safe

Alone, just the two of us
The creatures of the forest hibernating
Waiting for warmer times

We were two kids escaping for a little while into a world we created
Filled with color, sounds of brisk water and songs of the wind

On a cold day in November in Asheville, all was right