Robert Graves

Morning Phœnix

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 phœnix with proud roar
Kindled new within.

Other works by Robert Graves...



Top