Husky

The voice of the husky in the snow
was hoarse, packed with loss
like snow that never melts.

Paw-prints that the wind blew
over, an old love letter,
fierce, ice-tight, blast.

If you'd never started out
wishing in the white, white snow,
you'd never be here now, howling, lost.

Copyright © 2005 Jackie Kay All rights reserved
from Life Mask
Bloodaxe Books
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission