The Winter Night

She glanced up furtively from the shelter of the doorway Huddled against the cold In a tattered spring jacket three sizes too big for her Bitter winter wind rushed down her neck and through her sleeves A scruffy stray dog sniffled at her suspiciously, hopefully Then sauntered off down the dark alleyway The brown skin of her fingertips was tinged bluish white So she tucked them into her armpits for warmth She had long since stopped shivering The headlights of the cruiser shone upon her like the morning light Bold, bright and blinding The patrolman reached down and picked her up effortlessly Carrying her to the warmth of his car Her body stiff from holding her bent position for so long She went through this far too often If only she could go home…