O one of winter's breath!

coat my windowpanes with frost,

encase my lungs in ash and frigid death-

we both know there's no salvation

for the specters, for the lost.

O one of spring's false hope!

build me up to watch me crumple

weave empty air to a steel rope-

steal my breath and make me believe

I shall never crumble.

O one of summer's rot!

fuse me into a mess with fiery rays,

make my skin swelter and blood clot;

turn all clarity to a mere blur

and drop down over my vision a haze.

O one of autumn's stale whisper!

it seems I shan't ever warm again

my skin has spread too thin

I cannot keep the cold out-

I cannot keep the light in!