Frozen Minutes

Coins fumble in the frost,

fingers numb, time almost lost.

The meter beeps, impatient, cold,

a metal throat that won’t be told.

Frost curls like it’s swallowing time,

icy edges rim the dime.

Each second slips on frozen breath,

a battle with the clock and death.

The sky hangs gray, dull and thick,

waiting for the meter’s final click.