Frozen Heat
I stumble, take a half step back
fly down a dark shaft legs thrown up
in a perfect vee.
Birkenstocks scraping the roof of
the tunnel fly off and pound my
face. Dress blown over my head, my
back heats and blisters with friction.
I land hard in a frigid pool.
Tears breach eyelids squeezed against
the darkness, drain down my face in
rivulets of scorching sleet.
My mouth flies open and from it
howls and screeches of poisonous
pain hurtle forth as from the throat
of a wounded dog. I peek out
to see only darkness, no hint
of light glowing in the distance.
I hobble to my feet, groping
in the inky space for warmth.
My feet burn scarlet with cold
my teeth clack, arms break into a
hot rash, then freeze. I stagger, flee
the cold, falter forward seeking
the warmth you stole in the fever
of your dying.
