It's dark until 7:10 a.m. or so, when the sun finally rises this morning, on the day I was born; almost at the same time of day. Into the woods I walk, it's brisk and the river is black in the low light. I want to visit my father today, so he could wish me a happy birthday, as he always has. Instead I let the fiery light in the trees brighten my face as I crunch over the frost in the meadow, feeling satisfied. All the sun beaming and the yellow trees reflecting in the river are welcoming me into the world.  And the milkweed is sticky with memories of being young and at play in the woods. 

All photos and words copyright Kelly DuMar 2016 unless otherwise attributed