a child�s game shall save my soul

“colder...” was all it whispered,
  its voice as soft as a child,
  its intent as powerful as
  its being.
i struggled with my passions,
  with my life and with
  my choices.

“colder...”

“i can no longer play this
  game.” i spoke finally,
  removing the veil from
  before my eyes.

and the world appeared…
my steps behind me…
and a path off in the distance…

cold and confused, i attempted
  to continue.

“colder...” i heard faintly,
  and tried very hard to
  block the voice from
  my mind.

then i paused…
looked around…
and realized that i did
  not like where i
  had gotten.

with much deliberation, i
  slowly raised the
  veil which i had not
  dropped, and tied
  it before my eyes.
then with a slight of sight
  and feet uncertain, i
  turned and faced
  my path.

i stepped toward it and was
  delighted to hear
  it speak.

“warmer...”