Setting out
for a solo hike
on a rainy day,

I slip my keys
into a pocket
of my pack

and touch something
my fingers
are surprised
to encounter—

a small package
of chocolate almonds.

My heart leaps
to an almost
embarrassing height.

But why not?

The start of
a rainy hike
is a perfect moment
to discover this
unexpected pleasure,

like an
encouraging message
sent and then
promptly forgotten
by an earlier
version of myself

or a surprise gift
from an eccentric
yet loveable aunt
who I am
increasingly
coming to resemble.