Fire

partly melted snow-
embers from the campfire rise
toward the gibbous moon
–
a distant glow-
wood smoke and laughter
carried on the wind

metal folding chairs-
coffee cans half full of ash
on the fire escape
–
urban jungle-
pole beans climb
my barred windows

engulfed in blue flames-
as my life turns to ashes
I step out reborn
–
down among the ashes-
the rain arrives
far too late

the soft light of dawn-
dim street lamps gutter above
aging cobblestones
–
threads of smoke-
last nights embers
turn to ash

alone and asea-
drifting on the line between
the ocean and sky
–
eventide-
the sun ignites
a fiery sea

encroaching midnight-
the doomsday clock poised to toll
humanity’s dirge
–
pools of red wax-
guttering candles
cast their meager light

a cold night’s work done-
the creeping light of daybreak
seeps into my tomb
–
guttering torchlight-
weary of the death
that slakes my thirst

as I leave this world
I pour my soul into you-
one last parting gift
–
out of the fire-
a perfect vessel
cracked

april darkling skies-
picking up dry kindling for
the seasons last fire
–
well worn stories-
glowing embers
float skyward

a cricket’s chorus-
mercury and venus lost
amid the fireflies
–
emergent dusk-
spatters of light
in the new grass