Each foot vanishes in newly fallen snow only to reappear as I exchange left for right.

Nothing stirs. Birds and squirrels normally scampering and chirping on the edges of my walk, have disappeared.

Swinging arms and exaggerated puffing of the daily runners I often pass, are absent.

The slightly wobbly bicycles zooming by with colorful plastic helmets, are missing.

The most noticeable sound is not a sound at all but, quiet.

The quiet engulfs my thoughts while reluctantly acknowledging the pedestrian squishing of my boots.

The quiet itself is disquieting, but once accepted becomes a companion gently ushering me along.