Like Ice in Summer

Like ice in summer

your hand is cold in sunny heat, and pale

as a drift of snow.

Translucent skin, so thin,

That I can see the veins below.

Your pulse runs weak but steady,

like a river choked by frost.

I clutch your hand with all my strength

for soon, it will be lost.

Like ice in summer

your arm was hard, bones jutting out

like icebergs from grey seas

that rage with silent thunder

as they slowly sink beneath.

I feared your wrist might shatter

thin and brittle as it was

Yet dare not loose my grip

For I do dread that coming frost.

Like ice in summer

That shines with fragile beauty

Solid, grave in mortal fear

But daily, growing thinner

‘Till it slips away from here

I kept you in my hands,  

Oh, little cube of mine

But even those were far too warm

To keep you safe from time.

Like ice in summer

I had you for a moment,

just one moment you were strong

We had a merry winter

but the summer’s come along.

Like ice chips in my hand, you shrunk

away into a stream

and now the day is hot

And you’ve been claimed for clouds of steam.