alder

I remember the key change
the slip into chill, beyond that
I pretend it’s lost

now it’s a looking glass,
the gold frames have come back
polished, timid,
wondering how many love songs
one mouth can sing

this is the blessed
the bend of frost and ochre
that at once makes you fold in
and short circuit

this is the one you don’t see coming
but can see clearly

for once