Winter Morning

by Satomi Hase

A cell phone shakes with all its might, issuing a grunting noise. The numbers on the white clock face appear dimly.

As I take a deep breath in the cold crisp air and stretch out in the cottony futon, my feet dip into an icy pond. I pull the futon over my head to make a fluffy hidden place. I think about how many more minutes I will stay in this heaven. As I take one breath, cool dry air is exchanged for moist warm air. Soon, the three elements of germination get together inside: temperature, moisture, and oxygen.

For these three reasons, I admire how brave and diligent a seed must be to germinate. Humans need more to begin our morning: I wait in my comfortable dirt for a clinking sound and toasty scent.