These are not

tears. A wind
chill emotion erupts

without warning. Who
leaves their dog

outside a café
on a day like today?

Two-inch thick
ice will last

longer than many
relationships.

As I peel
on and off

layers of peace,
another January

gets sealed
shut. Another recipe

scrolls down
the side of a wall

outside a venue
that sells

no food. And these words
will not

be sung indoors.