In Midwinter

for N.

the ice buckled under us.       We dropped
as one       into that black pool. In those days,
our two girlhoods were still thick
as warm chocolate milk.       Somehow, we crawled out; we grew.
You stopped fondling my small breasts.       You let them fix
your freckled nose.       We hadn't drowned.
                We made it home.
You raised three daughters of your own; I raised sons.
                We drop as one. We drop as no one.