Frozen Heat - © Claudia Schlottman

05/19/10

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.