"In the early hours of the night, I tell myself that the sound I hear is frost cracking, river ice..."

"

In the early hours of the night, I tell myself that the sound I hear is frost cracking, river ice breaking. I lie to my own heart, as one lies to a frightened child, one who cannot be saved from the conflagration.

All the while, I know it is a fire. And I know how near it is.

"

- Sinful Folk, by Ned Hayes (forthcoming in 2012)