I Was a Kaleidoscope

I Put On My Overcoat, and Walked Into Winter,

My Teeth Chattered Rhythms.

And They Were Grouped in Twos Or Threes

Like a Morse Code Message Was Sent From Me to Me

And Cars On Slippery Slopes Were Struck,

People Pushing Through Their Mittens

As I Was Beginning

To Feel It Soaking Through My Shoes,

Getting Colder With Every Step I Took

To Your Apartment, Dear.

And I Was a Kaleidoscope,

The Snow On My Lenses Distorting the Image

Of What Was Only One of You

And I Didn't Know Which One

To Address As Your Lips Were Moving.

This Is When I Forget to Breathe,

And All the Things I Scripted,

They Sound Unfounded.

And It's the Look That You're Giving Me

That Tells Me Exactly What You Are Thinking:

"This Ain't Working Anymore."

They Got Their Mothers Worked Into a Panic

Sledding Down Hills Into Oncoming Traffic.

And Parents Layered Clothes Until Their Children Couldn't Move

Then They Left Them Outside Until Their Noses Were Blue and

I Got Left There Too.

I Put On My Overcoat, and Walked Into Winter,

My Teeth Chattered Rhythms.

And They Were Grouped in Twos Or Threes

Like a Morse Code Message Was Sent From Me to Me.