The cold makes me
A lair from fear
Places a pillow of
Downy drift
Under my head
A blanket of snow
To swaddle me in

I’d lay my ear to
The cracking of the ice
In the hope of hearing it
Retreat
If I didn’t know
I’d be frozen fast

The ice lets no one go

My country
A spread deathbed
My initials stitched
On the icy linen