The Cold Drive And A Warm Night-Chapter One Poem by Lonnie Hicks

I picked her up in the deep snow
hair piled to the side of her face,
snowflakes sparkles
sprinked there;
and our heavy breathing
made smoke clouds
as I made my way,
carrying her to the cabin
where I was staying, working on the new book.

I lay her down
inside the comforter
after pealing away her wet clothing
and laying them aside in front of the fire.

She slept as I massaged her face
and her arms
to bring back the circulation.

I heated a towel
turned her over and pressed
it to her back.

She moved away from blue and purple
and the color spread back into her skin
and her eyes fluttered.

No telling if the frost bite
was serious or minor.
She looked at me,
not focusing
and I gave her a moment
to gain her bearing.

She started,
sat up suddenly
grabbed the comforter around
her breasts and whispered
'Where am I
Who are you? '

She hunched back into the comforter
simultaneously looking around for an escape.
I backed away slowly.
'I found you on the road. You were trying to walk.
Did your car break down? '

She said
'I got lost
made a lot of turns.'
I said
'you are safe. Here drink this'

Next installment: tomorrow.