August fades to flicker orange
Against September's thirst for flame
And October's brilliant last lust glow.
November's hearth lies low
With ash-warm ember's last gasping
For breath of life -
And then December's cold,
And death at last lays hold
On Earth.
She sleeps insouciantly
In January -
Dreams though February
In a muffled sanctuary, safe
Beneath the snow.
March shakes and stirs
To life again
The numb limbs and
Foggy mist's of rousing earth
Leaving April to minister ablution
And May to dress for company.
June is her coming out and jubilee -
In July her heated dance begins
And ends in hedonistic revelry.
She dances to the fire and head long
Hurls herself in
To burn, to flame, gives her all
At once with reckless passion.

Dated 8/23/1982