March the First

Upon that fated, frozen March the first,
I danced on sugared fields to a tree.
At last, my perfect union with the earth.

She wore the ice and sleet from clouds dispersed—
A gown of swords aglow for all to see
Upon that fated, frozen March the first.

And so, I stood below and spoke a curse—
A wish that I could dress in snow as she.
At last, my perfect union with the earth.

One crystal that her highest limb had nursed
Did shiver, snap, and shimmer over me
Upon that fated, frozen March the first.

It speared my shoulder through; my heart was burst.
I sunk in reddened snow to both my knees
At last, my perfect union with the earth.

My lips to permafrost, forever pursed,
A corpse of ice and bone I’ll ever be.
Upon that fated, frozen March the first,
At last. My perfect union with the earth.