Wind-whipped snow devils lash out, stinging the cheek exposed above her scarf. She brushes away the frost gluing her eyelashes, lowers her head, and lopes off into the deepening snow. She chooses a spot, her skin now puffed fur, and burrows in. Curls up. Wedges her snout between her paws.

Louella Lester, a Winnipeg (Canada) writer/photographer, has been published in many journals and anthologies. Her book, Glass Bricks (At Bay Press, April 2021), is a quirky look at work. See more at https:/louellalester.blog.