Wildfire

The wildfire stopped short of route 77
The roadways were blocked so I couldn’t get down
I wished that I had known
—if the goddamned radio hadn’t signed off of the news
at 7 PM when this whole place shuts down.

Last night I rubbed raw the carpet pacing back to the windows
Sniffing the smoke for direction or sign.
As if I could have known
—wondering where you were—maybe just slugging a cold one
at Jesse’s Joint drunk on the outskirts of town.
At least now I know you’re still around

I admit there were times when I wished I could burn you in effigy
For once I could feel the warmth in you
When I’d pour my whole self out—you’d barely stir.
Then you blew away on the sparks of a thunderstorm
Springtime turned cold in a blur.

It was still cold on Saturday, but hit 80’s today
And ‘cause I work all day in refinery haze
I might never have known
—But sometimes the warm winds blow news from the blooms on the avenue
and I’m back for an instant; and I almost could drown…
And I guess it’s ‘cause you’re still around.
Yeah I guess it’s ‘cause you’re still around.

Copyright Tracy S. Feldman, All rights reserved