Wind Chill
All I wanted
was another layer of warmth
to stave off the chill—
the early January wind bites
through the brick walls
and the thermal underwear.
Goose down, silk turtlenecks
wool vest, cotton chemise
nothing warms me
winter enters into my soul
frost lines my brow
snow creeps up the bedroom sill
I scribe my name on the ice
liming the window
breath fogs, teeth chatter
a memory of camping
Sierra mountain elevation
shivering in a sleeping bag
wearing every stitch I own
a friend advises, take it all off
climb back in.
Perhaps, it comes to this
stripping down to bare nakedness
all the insulating layers
imagined in this world
and crawling nude into holiness
Finding warmth, love, forgiveness
in the raiment of God's Son
now, before February comes
and winter's done . . .
All I wanted
was another layer of warmth
to stave off the chill—
the early January wind bites
through the brick walls
and the thermal underwear.
Goose down, silk turtlenecks
wool vest, cotton chemise
nothing warms me
winter enters into my soul
frost lines my brow
snow creeps up the bedroom sill
I scribe my name on the ice
liming the window
breath fogs, teeth chatter
a memory of camping
Sierra mountain elevation
shivering in a sleeping bag
wearing every stitch I own
a friend advises, take it all off
climb back in.
Perhaps, it comes to this
stripping down to bare nakedness
all the insulating layers
imagined in this world
and crawling nude into holiness
Finding warmth, love, forgiveness
in the raiment of God's Son
now, before February comes
and winter's done . . .