Winter Man

It thumps in my heart-

a frozen heart,

hiding under a Christmas wreath

waiting to be warmed

by the snowman

If I listen hard-

press my heart against the wall

my heartbeat kissing the inside of my skin,

there he lies-

A withered soul

yet silently thumping within 

I hear his voice in my ear

whispering like ghosts of winter breath

Don’t you know?

It’s winter

           When seasons take refuge

I become their shadow-

Persistent ice,

Unwilling to melt