ice box

jokingly
you often referred
to her
as an old
ice box.
with a light
that went on
when she opened
her mouth.
the heavy
doors, the steel
rusted shelves.
a broken
handle where
someone
could crawl
in and suffocate.
but that was
a long time ago.
you are kinder
now.
you wish you
could remember
her name.