ice

ice

it has been days since
the temperature has
topped the freezing mark
the snow that fell a few
days ago has crusted into
a crunchy stability

if you have to go out
but ice is not your friend
whether the white ridges
or the translucent layer
disguised as ashphalt
it will take you down

maybe that’s what they had
in mind when they chose it
as the acronym for the force
that knocks down doors
and scours streets scraping
people into oblivion

it chils me to think that
evil appreciates metaphor
freezes me in my tracks to
picture the storm sweeping
through sanctuary cities
with a snow plow’s impunity

the arctic temperature of
hate cannot sustain life
our humanity loses its footing
with such frigid heartlessness
we best heed the forecast
come in from the cold

Peace,
Milton