The cold came down and I was unprepared

The cold came down and I was unprepared.

My hands in thin gloves meant for fall,

not this. The wind didn't care

that I was underdressed and small.

No one said turn back.

No one said you need something more.

No voice called from the house in attack,

said change, said prepare, said go back indoors.

I stepped into the freeze.

My fingers ached. My breath went tight.

The cold moved with ease

through every gap, every space not tight.

The jacket was just cloth.

I was just a body

learning what it meant—

that no one checks if you're OK,

no one asks if you're warm enough,

no one cares if you're alone

in the cold.

I kept walking.

Not brave. Just moving.

The only person there

to keep going.