Blinding

The snow carried it down
a vapour of relief
a blinding
a forgivable curtain,
if only temporary
then at least knowable
so we wouldn't have to imagine the gaping future
all bristles and cuts
a prediction without comfort
like that handful of snow 
already turning caress to claw
as it melts away its romance
a beauty startled
every mothers empty comfort
a curtain rippling in the howl.

Ember

a filament warbling
a broadcast of warmth
just what’s needed you said
to keep the dark as a triangle in the corners
where walls meet. 
Angles to collect the half-saids and the cold,
more fuel for the pyramid under us
that subsurface of incoherence 
the regret almost plumbing to where we started,
but that ember
hostaged and, 
feebled and,
flickers on with the courage of sunlight.