There are softening shadows
advancing there – a whorling
pressure on us – coming back
are volant tempests [deniers
of auld moratoriums] – I will
cross on forever-thinning ice
to find rare things [necessary
to endure] – High-back chairs
will hold us up through it all –
my house’ll rattle [tin sheets
long-replaced any thatch] – a
water source is so important
in summer [in winter melted
snow will do] – From this spit
you can see all God’s cruelty
advancing – batten thoughts
& stoke that heat source – in
a last breath nothing is said
[sleep is for our dead] – take
a prop to block outer doors –
before that [nameless] storm
& her weights press upon us