Summer beast rages over ice,
scattering coals, arranging himself.

His breath loosens ice seeds
from the grip of ground.
Their growing shoots reach for his heat.

Summer beast in his cave
nurses all night
his dreams of flame
and plans to set the world alight.

The dry hot horror of his face
shrivels vegetation
and burns earth skin brown.

Summer beast plucks leaves one by one
to feed his furnace and makes raging winter come.

February 8, 1976

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