Winter Pond — Isabella Chung

Snowflakes gracefully hit the ground
Crushed conifer cones lay scattered 
Smoke drifts away from warm bodies 
One man grabs his metallic circular shades 
Reflection of thoughts trapped in two frames
Lowering them, he sighs
Zebra patterned pants that smell of cup ramen
He hides behind the window
His reflection hidden
Growling sounds pierce the ears of others
Blood trickles down his throat
Staring into a wavering reflection of shape and body
Koi fish move in peaceful motions
Their tails glide swiftly against each other
Raising his pants right above his coarse ankles
He steps into a clear marble pond
Garnet droplets pour down his mouth
A white tail innocently plays victim
Recovering from the stains 
The tails peel off
Letting go of his safety, he lets his pants soak to feel the cold
He pauses.

The air freezes her toes
She tries to feel warmth by walking but sweat drenches her studded boots
Her mind swirling in circles above 
The smoke continues to evaporate 
Wrapping a coat around to feel warmth
Not knowing where she is
Her body rests uneasy with a calm mind
As she lays down, she slips 
She pauses.

His body calm with his mind uneasy
Bare feet move swiftly across the pond
Catching a glimpse of a chrome ring
He glides through the icy water 
He admires the ring which lays next to an unmoving white being
He breaks.

Her hand twitches as her skin feels a slippery tail
Eyes moving slowly, she notices a lanky figure looming over her
Gradually standing up, her hand touches a cold foot
She shivers 
Her ring cutting cold flesh
She rests.