snowy owl eyes
on campfire
nights,

was winter’s dream
a fever never
to repeat

details
under fingernails,

each flicker face
a snowflake

cracking thin-skin
windshield,

feel the crunch of boots
on diamonds

left not quite as
i found
them

lost stars buried by
the weight of
worries

frame an
end..

most faint and
blurry.

i’d be wise to chase
hisses home,

crack the panes,
unshackle
time,

should i taunt
flames

best contain the
spread of
mine,

sparing cardboard
creatures

guarding arid
acres

miles from
crime.