Characters surge in teeming, broiling tumults
Who, what, where, what are they yarns compose
spun, weaved, forged, tempered, cast, distorted
drawing, and withdrawing breath
from titbits of storylines,
Here and there, then and now, you have
Upsizings, threats, strengths, and weaknesses:
absurdities, absurd ditties, odd ways and beings.
See all these in a blustered, supple,
yielding, ready-berried Rowan; or in a tumbril,
air, toccata, fug, or others mirrored Mindseyes,
especially on these severe, unsettled October days.
Bring me moonshine
In your smile
&
gusto
In my hearth
O hearths!
~
The paraphernalia of open fires—
Scuttles, grates, tongs, clinkers,
ash shovel, hatchet
Rickety kneebends
Scrunching up the Sun
The News of the Screws
~
Picking good cinders
Hatcheting sticks
Three matches to light
Always three matches
Crackle & slow collapse
~
Juvenile flames keen to jive
The timing of the bigger sticks
Critical mass
The placement of the first coals
Put the heavy front on
~
Clunk
Shut the little door
& hope real hard
Offer up a silent
prayer to the firegods
Every little helps
Last refuge of a scoundrel
See it caught at last