Cantankerous, chilly, in dampness, she drifts,
Accustomed to clinging till driven away
By sunlight and breezes. At noontime, she lifts
A curse then disperses but swears to return.

Thermometers dropping, she gathers the stray
Suggestions of moisture that seek to adjourn.
With whispers, she urges them, "Dance with me! Play!
Exult in the shadows, the coming of night!"

The flowers in weariness shutter and spurn
Her clammy advances. She cackles delight,
Ignores them, and spackles a spidery fern
With filigree droplets, the dewiest gifts.

Excited by moonlight, she's glowing despite
Rheumatic distresses. She shivers and shifts,
Reclaims her domains though her stretches invite
An aching that haunts her with thoughts of the day.