Once upon a noon so dreary,
Sweating, sweltering, faint and weary,
Each breath a curse, a burning plea;
For shade, for breeze, for mercy free.
The sun, a tyrant in the sky,
With molten glare and wrathful eye,
Did scorch the land with cruel delight;
A blazing orb of endless blight.

No raven cawed, no shadow passed,
The trees stood still, their strength outclassed.
And I, upon my chamber floor,
Did pray for frost, forevermore.
But only heat, infernal guest,
Lay heavy on my heaving chest.
No balm. No wind. No sweet Lenore.
Just fire outside, and sweat in store.

Wouldst that winter’s ghost appear,
To whisper coolness in mine ear?
But ‘tis July, this searing spell,
And I am bound in summer’s hell.