silent night

last night, just before 10, i stepped out of a subway station and into the most beautiful snowfall.

the sidewalks were already blanketed with the lightest, fluffiest layer of snow, and vast quantities of enormous, feather-like flakes were materializing out of the dark skies to float gently down from above.

there was no wind, so the snow was landing on tree branches and telephone wires and fence posts, coating everything like a delicate fondant.

the streets were virtually empty and i walked home, alone amid the magic. i stopped under a streetlight at one point, and just looked heavenward at the falling snow for a few minutes. the world had become a living snowglobe before my eyes, i wanted to pause to fully savour its splendor.

every now and again, when there were no cars passing, the air went almost completely silent. the only sound came from my footsteps as i continued on my way.

and, though i was struck with a deep pang of melancholy, i felt grateful for having been given such a quiet and wonderful gift.