Smoke

a saddle blanket-
the only thing found between
my jeans and my horse
–
horseshoes-
the coal forge
cherry red

coupling freight cars-
clouds of smoke darken the air
throughout the rail yard
–
startled crows-
smoke and coal ash
fill the sky

fields of wildflowers
fastidiously tended
by hard working bees
–
summer afternoon-
nectar turning
to honey

roaring bonfires burn-
shadows of ancient stones paint
the salisbury plain
–
waning daylight-
a crow stands guard
over those long dead

the burning forests-
gaia’s tears turn to embers
borne off by the wind
–
peals of thunder-
rain falling
on a wild fire

ebony leaves strewn
across an indigo sky
fading out to black
–
moonless-
the warm glow
of a distant fire

searching for a trace
of the light behind your eyes
but making my peace
–
afterimage-
the candle
doused

I’ve struggled so long
stumbling through the darkness
blinded by the truth
–
awakening-
the light of
a false dawn

thoughts of the fallen-
those who purchased our freedoms
with their flesh and blood
–
old glory-
a red haze blinding
the dogs of war

shellshocked and bleeding-
wandering the husk of a
demolished building
–
floating ash-
Nothing left but
deafening silence