ghostly wind chills and sends cracks
through the scales of skin that rips
clean off in strips long and hard
by the subzero haunting white
that never fails to shred my

exterior

falls off like leaves on trees caught
up in some mythic deep freeze
flesh bared
bloodless from whispers
above and echoed down below

in silence

somehow one foot follows the next
creaking
my weak bones hunger for rest
on a tundra of time

lost to weakness
the forgotten still
humble my mind

how long before this
shell falls to fine
ribbon in cold mist

if you see me
weeping gently
don't come along yet
wait for sunset
when my bawling
feet are a wreck

if you hear me
walking shaky
don't call out yet
wait for regret
when my dying
heart
is circumspect