suddenly cold
ice on glass
gone brittle 
we are controled by the weather
we measure out our days
in coffee and alchoal
and small allowances of sugar

in other years i felt this freeze
with snow bound mind i stayed in bed
in hazy dreams, one little girl 
on beachhead shovelin' sand
to pails that have no bottom

this year, now, is snowless yet
but there, its heavy silence
no word from you 
i'm suddenly old
i can't control my breathing