WATCHING THE FIRE

He watched the flames surround the logs and flare

and fall back down. He didn’t think, review

his list, or plan ahead. His only care

was watching sparks and smoke fly up the flue,

and then to who knows where? Could pieces of

this fire float out to distant lands? Might planes

pass sparks that came from this small hearth, and love

it like a special sign? Could fears and pains

in far off towns be cured by sparks that flew

to them and shined as brightly as they shined

among the flames?

                   

                  His life now seemed brand new.

The flames were like the thoughts inside his mind.