MORNING PHOENIX

In my body lives a flame,

Flame that burns me all the day,

When a fierce sun does the same,

I am charred away.

Who could keep a smiling wit,

Roasted so in heart and hide,

Turning on the sun's red spit,

Scorched by love inside?

Caves I long for and cold rocks,

Minnow-peopled country brooks,

Blundering gales of Equinox,

Sunless valley-nooks.

Daily so I might restore

Calcined heart and shrivelled skin,

A morning phoenix with proud roar

Kindled new within.