In the pre-dawn hour I walk,

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
Yet, not alone - the sound of
   people on their way to somewhere
   is there.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
No - there is a house with a light
   on as someone starts their day.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
The chill of the morning breeze
   on my cheeks awakens, enlivens me.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
Except for the sound of unseen
    leaves crunching underfoot.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
Except for the dim outline of
     trees - present, yet not in focus.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
Except for the stars in the sky
     (yes, even here in Los Angeles)

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
Except for the jet contrail that
    stretches across the sky as someone or
     something speeds toward its destination.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
Except for that person who is seeing
   this same contrail with the light of the sun
   behind it as I have, binding the two of us together,
    in shared wonder, for an instance.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
Except for the early dog walker, felt before
   being seen.
Or the early runner, footsteps heard in the
   semi-darkness.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
As I turn and head east, I see the
    brightening of the horizon.
The stars are fewer and less obvious, yet
    their presence still speaks to me.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
No, never alone or in silence, for I
   am surrounded by beauty and wonder
   that is speaking to me, enjoying my presence
   as I enjoy all of its.

In the pre-dawn hour I walk,
Alone, in silence.
Today, tomorrow, or the next day I
   will return -
In the pre-dawn hour to walk,
Not alone, or in silence.
Never.
Ever.