Winter Epiphany

Up at 4:30 a.m.

White briefs

Merino wool base layer

Polypropylene bottoms

Heavy wool pants

Base layer, fleece, and parka

Boots with a kilogram of thinsulate

In a tree before dawn

23 degrees

15 with wind chill

Apple slices and frosted cherry pop tarts

Sipping water

Bladder awakens

Argument ensues

Bladder wins

Climb down

Reach the ground

Thankful to touch the earth

Grouping through layers

With cold numbed fingers

Searing light of truth

Illuminates crushing reality

I could never have had a career in adult cinema