[No Matter What] We Run at Five

Poetry
Written By Linea Jantz
 

Our feet slip, slosh down a snow trough in the darkness

snaking through a forest in silhouette

My legs burn; from the cold or from the climb? 

in a fair world, you would think the two would cancel

My teeth clench, words a growl trapped in a too polite jawline

I woke up this way

You do not chide me for my damp mood

Instead, we agree that we will claim this first mile

fling our frustrations to the air

We clear our hearts for the rest of our day

howling and lightened by mile two

Clumps of flakes hurl themselves at the bobbing column of light from my headlamp

our feet punch holes in ice-capped powder beneath frosted pines

City lights shine along a stretch of river below

the sky glows muted orange

Our feet still to silence

We stand on a hillside in the darkness

two women alone in a forest 

Linea Jantz

Linea Jantz has worked in a wide range of roles over the years including waste management, medical records, paralegal, teacher, and most recently freelance writer. Her writing is featured or forthcoming in publications including Pamplemousse, The Dyrt Magazine, The Spokesman Review, Singletracks, HamLit Journal, and NonBinary Review. Her poetry was featured in the ARS POETICA juried art exhibit at Blowing Rock Art History Museum and has received a nomination for Best of the Net. She is the Writing the Land Poet for the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.

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