bustling soft bodies
a glaring red vehicle that stares you straight in the eyes
they betray their aliveness
when their breath billows clouds in the cold air
and tears are the only words i can spill out

cruelty is the slash of a blade,
so i beg, let them curl up somewhere dry and warm
where heads peak out into the wind
just to settle cosy inside again

this winter, this life has been so unkind.