(snow)

once upon a time, a very long time ago, i rolled naked in the 
snow.

i lived in a suburban town north of New York City, in a ground-
floor apartment that had a back door opening onto an irregularly 
shaped cement "courtyard" area behind the building. sometimes in 
the summertime we'd set up a barbecue grill out there and pretend 
we were having a cookout. but this was wintertime.

it was about three in the morning, and it had been snowing 
steadily since midafternoon. i don't remember why i was still up 
at that hour, but i was sitting in the kitchen wearing only a 
disreputable terrycloth bathrobe, looking out the back door at the 
snowdrifts accumulating in the courtyard. because of the weather 
and the lateness of the hour, not a living soul was out and about 
in the town.

suddenly i was seized by a strange whim. i quickly slipped out of 
my robe and slippers and darted out the back door into the 
courtyard. i flung myself, completely naked, into the snowdrifts 
and rolled in them.

at first it was exhilarating. the sudden stimulus of cold against 
my bare skin was so intense it was erotic. in addition, there was 
an acute awareness of breaking taboos - i'm outdoors! in the snow! 
in public! with no clothes on! my whole body was tingling with the 
physical and emotional sensations.

alas, after a few moments it just felt wet and cold. shivering, i 
dashed back inside where it was warm.