Ice Maiden
speaks whale, speaks star
breathes in — tight as a tomb
breathes out — splintered crackle
snow falls — a silvery kintsugi
fooling no-one
she wants to be alone
with her ice shroud
to think slow thoughts
drink from snow’s thickening skin
wants to slip deeper
in her best dress, her longest hair
doesn’t like the word thaw
she wants to retell all the stories
save the best roles for herself
her dark smile, her siren’s heart
Sue Burge is a freelance writer, mentor and editor based in North Norfolk. Her most recent poetry collection is The Artificial Parisienne (Live Canon 2024). Her eco-angst collection, watch it slowly fade, is forthcoming with Yaffle Press.