Seven Degrees Left of Center

The Wee Hours Are My Best Work

It’s 5 a.m. and I’m already winning.

The house is quiet. The town is quiet. Even the internet feels quieter. The only thing working this hard this early is my coffeemaker, and we’re a team.

There’s something mischievous about being awake before the sun. Like I’ve snuck into the day. No emails. No expectations. No one asking me where anything is.

The words behave better at this hour. They line up. They don’t argue. They don’t demand snacks.

By the time the rest of the world rolls out of bed, I’ve already built something. A page. A thought.

Then I can face the day like a responsible adult.

But at 5 a.m.?

I’m a little feral.
A little brilliant.
And very well caffeinated.