Chicago winters

If you’re not careful, they’ll get you. 

Minimal hours of grey light and nonstop icy wind. 

Naked tree branches.

Regret.

Mere glimpses of a single pretty area you probably won’t get to often - 

that stretch of Michigan Ave is nice.

Defeat creeping in like a cockroach on cheap tile floors, 
in Public Housing 
in the middle of the night.


(The only person who has seen that apartment at night is your 
State-appointed social worker, and she only comes to give you your meds and ask if you’re feeling suicidal. What a ridiculous question.

Of course you are.)




……

Be careful.

It’s only December,
and you’ve got at least another 3 or 4 months. 

And don’t you dare forget, sweet child.

This happens every year.