KS Culbreth

Death Me Once Over

death me once over, freezing love
that before the storm’s dirge of
ice, let the soothing wind
of gold thaw once.

a blanket has come over us
that is too short against
night’s cold biting air, thus
exposing us to its draught.

we tug at the quilt of
eiderdown, sleet in sheets
against the glass, draught
tiny, fatal darts to our flesh.

and though we shelter us from storm –
the river rushing slush beyond,
the blanket Time has too
few threads, little down.

since the night must storm,
despite those promises of dawn,
and we both a shaking shiver from
the chilly voice of darkness:

death me once over, freezing love,
and take from me this eighty-year
blanket, that one may at least
bravely battle night unto warmth

death me once over, freezing love,
with pleasure and memory one
forever fire to cling to sinking
in that vortex of icy water

death me once over, freezing love,
for at that trial afterward no
man will be found innocent whose
motive has been less than love