Firelight Are We&;#063;

Firelight Are We?

embers sometime spark and
go out quickly
others glow, lingering until
white hot edges give way to ashes

and then the smell of sweet and
heavy smoke rises
floats fading into the evening chill

and not one hiss of wood too hot
is violent or
spitting flames expected
and still
the burning does go on

at end the licking flames sigh out
the cooling stretched extensions
collapse
as a veil of hot white ash unfolds into the air

now the night folds over
the low still warmth
and the silver shadows of the fire
lie silent in the dew