As a child disembarking from a roller-coaster ride feels time drop when motion ceases, takes a viscous, dreamy step toward a bench, so I concluding all the toil of the term rediscovered my inertia. Such an evening, well might I and who know how many others, wedged in nooks of furniture, typing madly on our tablets, trade our prophecies of doom. But the wist to wander took me out into the hazy night, seeking traces of enchantment that beguiled me long ago. Silent night and empty sidewalk, cheerily the houses flaunt shining winter simulacra 'mid their cactus, sage, and palm. Fire season's almost over, COVID multiplies again, but let me have this night, this peaceful amble through December mist.