Visit

[talktooloose]

It's perfect and cold outside. There is a thick transparency to the air—as dense and weightless as diamond. There is snow on the ground that should not have fallen in such cold and as such, it seems ancient as dust, like snow that fell on the northern desert millenia ago and has blown around with determined aimlessness throughout recorded history in spaces so vast and empty that life seems a trick of the light when it is seen at all.

Despite a high ceiling, the airplanes are flying low in the sky like snowy pteradons or like ghosts of men who froze trying to find the pole, trailing their torn canvas as they try to catch a merciful wind back to the warmth of the living. And though they seem to be passing just over the roofs of the houses, the planes do not shriek with the voice of industry, but call like whales, mournful and gay.

Out for his last walk of the day, the dog saw a raccoon and I swear they exchanged a look of understanding. The dog was in his glory; the great wildness of the Arctic with its spirit of shimmering, rugged possibility, had come down to visit civilization for a night and, while the city folk were bundled tight against this invader, the dog knew he was back again in the blue-scented world that had borne him, keen and wild.

Comments

[a-trick-mind.livejournal.com]

One of my favorite memories from when I was a boy living in Alaksa, up near Mt. McKinley, was of wolves howling on clear, silent, frozen winter nights and answering calls from sled dog teams. I recall burrowing deep under the covers as the sound sent a shiver down my spine. Let's hear it for perfect nights.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

My father spent some time in the Arctic when I was a kid and he came back quite haunted by it. I remember flying over Alaska on my way to the Far East a few years ago and being struck by the magnitude and frightening majesty of Alaska.

Wow! You lived there! At what ages? Do you miss it?

Today it's even colder: -33C with this windchill but the sun is shining brilliantly.

This weather brings out the overwrought poet in me!

[goodall.livejournal.com]

That was beautiful. I am trying to imagine the corgi born of the wild. :P

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that is pushing it a bit. But I don't want to disillusion the pup!

[goodall.livejournal.com]

Does he wear a little doggie jacket for winter walkies?

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

No, he seems fine! He loves the cold. Although occassionally he'll get some ice between his toes and start hobbling. Then I brush it out and he's fine again.

I like

[briseur.livejournal.com]

that you listed the windchill under humuer actuelle. Says it all, really.

Re: I like

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

So I should have just skipped the post?

(I can so see you sticking out your tongue now, sweetie.)

Also, Toutou says it wasn't the emperor but a prince. I notice that the LJ name "cutsleeve" is not yet taken. If I were a gay Asian male, I would so grab it. In fact, I may anyway.

[kuriadalmatia.livejournal.com]

After a rough two days at work, I find your post and it brings a smile to my face. Marvelously crafted. Wonderfully said.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

Thank you, hon. I hope work gets sane again.

How's the weather your end of the world?

[kuriadalmatia.livejournal.com]

How's the weather your end of the world?

40 degress F one day, 2 degrees the next with wind. Right now, it's about 32 degrees with snow on the way.

I'll be in Tampa to work a convention over the weekend. Sadly, I can't bring J and I'll probably be indoors the whole time:<

Hope things are well for you!