Poem: chilled

chilled —

a shiver just beneath the skin

my left foot creeps onto my right 

must somehow preserve some warmth

wetness prickles — almost singes — the corners of my eyes

the throbbing blood music — why?

is it supposed to help?

it just pulls it to the surface.

its fire can now escape!

too little body heat left

and this sweater is insufficient

knees draw together,

close to my chest

do babies instinctively know 

— how to stay warm?

— conserve heat?

or do they just get formed in that position — cell by cell?

the shivers creep up my back,

sometimes one after another

sometimes they run up my leg or my arm

and sometimes they seize from all sides

— chilled

-SFK

5.Jan.2012, edited 26.Jan.2019