He Lit a Fire with Icicles Poem by Kay Ryan

He Lit a Fire with Icicles



For W.G. Sebald, 1944-2001

This was the work
of St. Sebolt, one
of his miracles:
he lit a fire with
icicles. He struck
them like a steel
to flint, did St.
Sebolt. It
makes sense
only at a certain
body heat. How
cold he had
to get to learn
that ice would
burn. How cold
he had to stay.
When he could
feel his feet
he had to
back away.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Kay Ryan

Kay Ryan

San Jose, California
Close
Error Success