cold silence

chilled

to perfection by

years

of practice

unwilling

to kindle

either

fires of rage

or
flame of forgiveness

hurling hot embers could

thaw

the icy impasse

defiantly

huddled by the frigid flame

of self-protection

pride says,

"I'm right, you're wrong"

frozen feelings frostbite

the heart

robbing us

of irretrievable time

(2000)