walking across the white

walking across the white

I look across the white
and embark on a short dart
across its plane
bundled up to the helm
the first step slides
I realize
to be ice wise

brisk chill of white
grabbing the hairs
on the back of my neck
and pulling them to stand
straight up

the body draws up
like a curled up kitten
as steam comes
with every breath
as needles prick
the exposed flesh

Celsius sensitive
as the cold wind blows
a turn of the head
as charging forward
navigating by thought
for the eyes are ice

Cheeks feel flush
and toes sting
shuffling along freezing
like a penguin on ice
walking across the white