The White Bark by Edna St. Vincent Millay — Read

The white bark writhed and sputtered like a fish

Upon the coals, exuding odorous smoke.

She knelt and blew, in a surging desolate wish

For comfort; and the sleeping ashes woke

And scattered to the hearth, but no thin fire

Broke suddenly, the woo d was wet with rain.

Then, softly stepping forth from her desire, / (Being mindful of like passion hurled in vain

Upon a similar task, in other days)

She thrust her breath against the stubborn coal, / Bringing to bear upon its hilt the whole

Of her still body... there sprang a little blaze . . .

A pack of hounds, the flame swept up the flue! -

And the blue night stood flattened against the window, / staring through.