burning slash

Burning Slash

on the ground, a fire

in the sky, full moon

I sip chardonnay

by kerosene lamp light

I disturb the ancient pattern of decay

trenches open where i remove rotting logs

insects scurry into cover

new grass crushes under heavy boot

I feed the fire

on the sky, full moon

in the ground, a fire

kerosene lamplight

fills my glass

sparks shower upward

smoke rolls through the bare buckeyes

and drenches my clothes

I pause to turn the metallic husk

of a dead millipede

I feed the fire

on the ground, the moon

in the sky, a fire

light spills from my glass

the fire falls in upon itself

branch upon branch

coal upon coal

knots explode

wood spirit flies free

I feed the fire

full moon

bright fire

empty glass