the cold slowly or quickly moves in
men in basements
connected by wires
to other styrofoam minds
   smile
   or move fingers

the cold incuriously steps in
voices muffled
by atmospheres pressing
fall short of conveying
   words
   meant to connect

the cold complacently falls in
traffic tangles
around misty edges
people shiver inside
   face
   same destinations

the cold inevitably comes in
old gray cinder
square encampment
cables twist across walls
   recipient
   not at this address