Veneer Freeze

ice lays on the field
like a threadbare sheet;
its marriage with the earth
running thin/ shadows
take a temporary stand
and testify to cold facts;
birds no longer on the wire
and smoke from the chimney
curling like a whip/

there is a wolf somewhere,
and you know it;
his howl is in your pillow/
but even here in the outside
dawn he closes on you/
having his attention will
not be enough,
and a veneer freeze
will not keep either of you
from your fill/