Frozen Fog

I trudge along
Chin tucked to chest
From one place of shelter to the next

I’ve done this for weeks
Willing late winter away
Into the cracks of the pavement

But the trees hold
Yesterday’s air frozen
Pretty on their branches

Look, look, they say
You can’t escape
These passing days

We spread them out
From limb to limb
For your contemplation

The warmth won’t let you
When summer days
Are gone they’re gone

Only the cold
Gives you a glimpse
Of what you missed

Only the cold can
Give you back a day
And let forgotten have its say