John Biscello

Start with the glacial base,

the hunk of unforgiving crystal

on which the tree is mounted,

then trace the filigreed limbs

of the tree, its shadow

a twin belonging to the woman

modeling Winter

as a softly fringed species

of smoldering wraith,

and come to your end,

panting, inflamed,

aware of how much distance

can be covered

by way of yearning.