I walked up the hill through the rain. An ordinary walk on an ordinary day. My legs felt strong. The air was crisp in my lungs.

Suddenly, I looked up and saw the raindrops dripping off dark tree limbs. I saw the watercolor gauze of the treetrunks against the white hillside. And I realized— I’ll never again see these raindrops dripping off those trees.

I’ll never again walk this same hill with these same legs.

Tomorrow, everything will be different.

© 2023 Katie Baker