if i am quiet enough,
if i hold my breath long enough. 
i can feel the hope 
bubble inside of me.
precariously balanced,
between fire and ice.
my body aches to be burned
to turn to ash and rise
up like some kind of phoenix
but the cold is inviting,
haunting, slick with truth
and so here i am.
holding by breath,
until the world shakes
and i am moved.
fire or ice.