Icicles by Moonlight

As winter walks its weary way through January, the icicles dangling from the roof of our apartment building have grown like stubble on a man's unkempt face. The back side of the building harbors the longest icicles, one of them reaching nearly to the ground. I wonder the gutter can support its weight.

Other buildings in our complex do not sport such finery. Perhaps their roofs get more sun which melts the snow faster. Perhaps they have more insulation under their shingles so less stuff melts. Whatever the cause, the glass-like ornaments sparkle in the daylight, a glittering wonderland of artistic rippling frozenness.

So far their presence has not caused any leaking indoors. I am free to enjoy the frosting with out counting the cost. Tonight I stayed long at the Library, worn by the day's demands, unable to leave until my paper for class was completed to my satisfaction. My back ached from being bent over a keyboard for so long, my legs heavy and stiff from hours of not moving around enough.

I opened the door of our cozy abode only to see dirty dishes scattered about, piles of undone laundry, trash not taken out. I am too tired to take care of things before I retire. It is already way past my pumpkin-turning time. It is all I can manage to peel off my coat and wriggle into my nightgown. I slowly make my way to my room longing for the comfort of fuzzy flannel sheets and a prone position.

I glance towards the window, surprised to see so much light. Even though the moon is not full, it's brilliant half slice is not obscured by clouds. It reminds me of those chewey orange slices I used to eat at Grams of a summer's evening when the locusts were singing and the fireflies danced. Tonight the moon's light danced down the delicate icicles hanging just outside my bedroom window, scattering all the hues of the rainbow in every direction.

How beautifully they shimmered! Little diamonds of light cavorted about the ceiling and walls of my room, laughing at my wide eyed trance. It was magic. Instantly the tiredness fled from my limbs and the heaviness lifted. How amazing to have my very own laser light show right in my own room! Some nights are pure magic.