A poem I was inspired to write while running on a cold, raining night. Enjoy!

Braving the heavy, cold rain tonight I needed miles so I ran around the Issaquah Highlands while being hammered by the torrential downpour. While gloves, a jacket, a head buff and tights gave me some protection, the rain still found a way inside—giving a chill and making me run harder. I cut up and around block after block. Each step I placed with intention while darting between puddles. This was fruitless because my shoes were already filled with rain, but I did it anyway like a game only I was playing. I was a wild mess.

While passing a block of shops my eyes connected momentarily through the bright storefront window with the gaze of an employee in Ulta. She was elegantly dressed and her makeup was artful. At that moment, we were of two worlds—close but different. It was like a zoo visitor peering in at a trapped beast, but our positions were reversed.

When that briefest of moments was over, I ran on into the night, puddle hoping and shaking water from my hair.