my beautiful lantern

bare feet carve paths into the snow

a fleck of snow lands on my tongue, dissolving in its warmth 

flavorless and sweet, the fading taste of candy 

the salt of the warmth, the iron of red lakes

ah, what a refreshing sight, a refreshing thought

red toes grip the pillowy surface, is it snow? or is it you? 

i search for you, a lantern hung over my head

the flakes graze my cheek, a lingering path of red

do you remember? the way these teeth bared themselves to you?

now they are hidden by flesh, bone curtained from the world, from you.

a puff of air slips from my lips, the first sliver of sun

the shadows glide over the thickness, slipping away and appearing

i search for you, a lantern hung over my head

the trees sing a little song, making my lips part

i dance around like a child, limbs following an unfamiliar rhythm 

down to earth it returns, the cold swallowing you

ah, it is you.

the song of my life, the portrait imprinted into my eyelids

the bristling of woods remain, the chant of the wind

i cup my breath, spreading it over my face

oh, return to me. 

return to me, my beautiful lantern.

for it is you, my light.