Beautiful Solstices

The river dries, the master aches
if you've been mute for days
the rain cries, the Sun bakes
the overused cliches

the eye reddens, the mucus drips
an infected fork or spoon
the joy lessens, the blister creeps
drama will die soon

the toes gone cold, the muscles twitch
and lockjaw is at peak
the will is told, the dying switch
buried under teak