We forget the fangs of cold air
Fail to remember how it grabs
Hold like a pit bull, refusing
To release the death grip’s hold,
Locking out the heat life demands,
Squeezing until extremities
Turn obsidian, blackening
To numbness, presaging endings
Sluffing away piece by piece.
It’s said freezing’s a painless way
To meet your maker, meaning mom
Or dad, god, all of these or none:
Most specious rationale.