first frost
The first frost
made the ground heave
like a swollen heart,
then the warm air circled
in and made everything
smell of the small
phytoplankton and shells
of snails and mud
from the lake. Nutrient-rich,
I filled my lungs and soul with it
inviting all the microscopics
into me,
to stick to my ribs
and envelope me in
the safety of their armor.