Fire

moonset on the dunes
the smell of last night’s bonfire
lingers in her hair
–
night tide-
stellar sands blaze
across the sky

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

smoke from the chimney-
a startled crack leaves embers
glowing on the hearth
–
whispers of smoke-
coals nestled in
among the ashes

grey dying embers-
on rising smoke the campfire
draws its final breath
–
evening dew-
cooling ashes and
echoes of laughter

warm embers of clouds
gilded rose and violet
from the rising sun
–
dawn moon-
a crow alights
on an ashen branch

black potbellied stove-
the evening’s load of firewood
stacked up along side
–
stars in the sand-
our fire stoked
by the ocean breeze

whispers of thunder
dry lightning in distant hills
the rain long absent
–
autumn hills-
ashes rain
on the valley

downcast hazel eyes-
blistered feet dangle from the
hospital gurney
–
bitter winds-
the horizon
set aglow

in the line of fire
standing while the others fall
I am bulletproof
–
rising smoke-
the doe startled
bounds away

a lovers embrace
two hot tempers intertwine
leaving just ashes
–
falling snow-
crackling in
our fireplace