Sunrise to sunset
this summer solstice day
piercing rays, reflected thoughts of you,
punctuate passing daylight hours.

Endless barrage of
pulsing memoranda,
heaven-sent on white-hot wings unfurled,
brand love’s painful purpose.

Determined in his
sunny disposition,
orb of fire climbs to height of glory,
removing safe shadow from me.

Unaccustomed to
intense illumination,
I melt, disappear, blister then burn
in blinding realization:

            You were born to shine
            and this is not my time.
            Mine is to bear scorching heat, shiver,
            friendless, ‘neath your fierce insistence.

Consumed with flame, you
contain full force of wrath,
but boil me in vat of steaming words –
“at an impasse,” you bid me move.

Denied your presence,
I can no more escape
your orbit than revolving planets.
             Sorry to have been in your way.

You release searing,
stinging energy,
suffocate me with overbearing
optimism, turn me to ash.

You would rid this world
of me completely; yet
‘tis I who once basked in dazzling joy
and gentle warmth of summer friend.