🚀 go-pugleaf

EXTREMES
 
The Summer sunlight burns my shoulders raw
Streets sizzle in the blaze of August heat,
Each passing breeze a blast from heaven's forge;
While ocean breakers roll in to disgorge
Their cache of scattered shells before my feet,
Pink pebbles, seaweed, kelp, crustacean claw.

The sunburnt sand scorches my toes and sole
Tans them as tough as cowhide's leathern grain,
My form grows heavy while my head grows light;
But Summer's end already is in sight
And I would rather that the heat remain
Than face the pain that rides on Winter's wing…

For Summer's scalds can't rival Winter's sting
When heat is culled from blackened lumps of coal.

-- Michael Pendragon

*****