Won’t Thaw

Ice draped softly over a cable
like yak hair over its spine
defined the pier
I picked my way along
above the frozen lake.

Behind, on the shore,
human varietal debris
plastered up against chain-link fences,
pockmarked the sand,
diluted my pleasure with certainty
their persistent presence, insufferable,
would sully access to the water
even after spring had cleared the way.