The pick strikes the ice and shatters the fragments
out into the air. Down they go, hearty lumps,
past my feet as I cling to the side.
I stretch up, pick ready, and strike again.
My chest hurts – I’m too eager, I know.
Fragments fly.
A routine: pick strike, ice diamonds
pick strike, ice diamonds.
Just frozen water playing rain.
So why am I bleeding?