they oxcart me
into deep wood
to cover me
with leaves

"a blanket,"
they say
"to keep you
warm at night,"
they say
before they
drift off in
the way of
autumn maple,
scarlet against
the frost

it is the guilt
that makes
them so
but
this is where
i belong.

she winters...

growing colder
as nights draw longer
she ice shaves scrape
her nails white & blue

alone in
her crystal room
to ash her hair
at least none dare
to slip beyond
the chill

because here is where
she winters
and winter here
she does still