Skater

Now is the frozen time.
Now there will be
lee on the stained glass
Of the pond,
Ice on the silvered arrows
Of the reeds
Beyond.

Now is the frozen time.
Now middle age
Sits at the crackled fire
And turns its page.

Now is the frozen time
For those beyond the thaw.
But you, youth,
You with the quickened pulse
For law,
Have none of this.
Let the wind take you
With the sting
Of its kiss.

Cloud the white air
With the breath
Of your laughter.
Shatter it
With the heat
Of your song.

You, youth,
Surely you will wear
A yellow scarf
That the wind may loosen
And lash to flame
Across your hair.

Now let the clean, strong steel
Bite the blue ice.
Cut here,
With your swift runnered blade,
Some new,
Some mad,
Some marvelous
Device.

Now is the frozen time.
Skater,
Bend low,
Strike fleet,
Cut deeply to the start.
Too soon
Comes winter to the knee,
Comes winter to the heart.