a brief glimpse of what is

it's early; too early, though later than i usually rise. the fog still lingers around the edge of the day and my head, and i sit up slowly, reaching for the book i fell asleep reading last night. finish the last few pages...stretch, sigh, lay the book gently down, rise and head for the bathroom. i wash my hands, pull the elastic from my hair, glance in the mirror. i see myself then, only for a second, waking up, as he does: young and alive. i am afraid, but not enough to keep me from moving forward.