Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FLAME, by EDITH GRAHAM MIRICK


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FLAME, by                    
First Line: I am cold as milk-white stone
Last Line: Turn, oh, turn me back to stone!
Subject(s): Desire; Fire


I am cold as milk-white stone,
Snow for blood and ice for bone.
Goddess, thaw this chill of death --
In my nostrils breathe your breath!

Mortal, framed of icy bone,
Blest is woman carved of stone!
I can give what you desire --
Breath of life and blood of fire.
Take, oh, take not what I proffer!

Goddess, I take what you offer!
Paint my cheek until it glows
With the scarlet of the rose --
Warm my breasts, encarnadine
These hard, frigid lips of mine --
Tint the ivory of my flesh.
In my stiffened tresses mesh
Golden arrows of the sun!

Take my lips, Pygmalion!
Ah, sweet Goddess, see! the fire
In my veins rise high and higher!
See the mad flames leap and dart,
Piercing, smothering my heart!
* * * * *
Goddess, shield me! Hide my face!
Once again I ask your grace!

You, who once were ice and stone,
I have given blood and bone,
I have given flame and fire!
What, then, is this new desire?

Of those gifts you gave me, all
Turned to wormwood and to gall,
And that devastating, rash
Flame has burned itself to ash!
You, who made of ice this bone,
Turn, oh, turn me back to stone!





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