it's going to be a long cold winter

i get the cold shoulder,
the silent treatment, the freeze out.
the ice box.

i get it.
I've been getting it my whole life.

my father used to do it.
ex wives, new wives, current wives.
future wives.

it used to bother me, but not anymore.
you come into this world
alone,

you leave alone. i embrace the cold,
the quiet. i button up.
put a snug hat on. gloves
and boots.
it's going to be a long
cold winter.

I've been there and done this.
i keep a shovel and a bag
of salt by the door.
it's the life i know.
the life i own.