One Single Impression

My foot slips through
Ice made thin
By the sure light
Of late February

And I sink up to my shin.
But for the waterproofing
On my new Earth shoe
My foot would be wet and cold.

As it is, only my leg freezes
As I schlep along
Trying to feel,

As the ice has,

The full benefit
Of a blazing February sun.

In that brief exchange of
Energy between me and the Earth
Somewhere below the ice

I have discovered
She is no victim of winter's iron maiden
But a playful girl
Waking in her own good time
Under a white blanket

That frays and tatters
Moment by moment
Even as it quite accidentally
And imperfectly
Hold this world together.