in the cold of winter
as leaves splinter,
not just in June
as roses bloom
and the lark sings. I’ve
broken wings.

Stand by me
when I’m thin as a spring’s
pond covered in ice. I’m ready
to crack. I bore the weight
of this world on my back.

Stand by me
as I'm shorn, grounded
as a peppercorn. I fall
down as black powder. I, once
white as snow, turned yellow
on the road.