walking down the sidewalk
opposite directions
but neither knew

frozen pond
child’s breath across the sky
fish

fuzzy slippers
warm cocoa
good night’s sleep

movie
can’t pay attention
I feel his heart beat

the child lifts her head
to make her breath
a train

frictionless blades
bruised bottoms
a frozen lake

bells in the distance
church or sleigh?
jingle all the way

kettle on the stove
the fire crackles
with reassurance

strangers houses
     lumpy beds
     too tired to care

boys pretend to smoke
with the frosty air
old movies with dad