Silent Climate

The dial creeps, then halts, then swings,

a crooked needle flits like wings.

Shivering steps through cold, thin halls,

a heat blast sneaks through vented walls.

Neighbor’s war, unseen, unsaid,

chill and warmth in quiet dread.

I wrap the threadbare scarf again,

waging battle with the thin.

Silent climate, stubborn feud,

temperature’s unspoken feud.