snow-ring indicates a death this winter

you came home with a ring on your keychain

just a shiny silver ring, Venus upside-down without her crucifix

it was wrapped around your finger like a solid black armband.

a snow-ring.

a rabbit’s foot against black ice and blizzards

we could have used it at the bottom of our trench in the hillside

where our bare feet forced the clutch to take,

where we ran ourselves off the road--

but that is not our custom.

lucky charm evoked when the disaster has passed

and now it’s hanging from your keychain

and I can’t help but wonder who it’s imitating

you?