Anna Morton

The Pond That Turns to Ice

CURRENT DAY As I lay on the bitter, numbing ground, I think of all of the choices that lead to this exact moment. I stare up at the sombre night sky, empty of the stars that graced its presence only yesterday evening. The wind is fierce, it roars and bellows at me for being so mindless, then it passes through the entirety of my body, leaving me breathless and unable to think clearly. I watch the illusion of smoke leave my lips with every breath that I take. It reminds me of the times as a child when my sister and I would pretend that we were smokers, it briefly warms my body to remember her face. I wonder if the trees can sense my desperation as they sway furiously from side to side. I try to find something to focus on to stop my mind from fixating on the cause of the throbbing sensation I feel in my feet, I know what is happening but if I pretend that it isn’t, maybe it won’t.