Fire
by Sam M. Phillips

Snatched,
Thrown down,
Run over,
Point to hole,
Supposed to know what I’m doing,
Really a madman,
Leaning shakily against a wall,
Can walk no further,
I’ll pay for all this.

Tell me about it later,
Courteous and polite,
Attempt to find a way,
Pass yourself off as a friend,
Strong emphasis on yourself,
I have no heart to refuse,
Though there is no special bond.

Handsome face melts,
Turns with a splendid flourish,
Forgotten part,
Defiant,
Inquiry,
Conviction,
Suspicion grows in the pale light.

Living truth,
Runs like wax,
Sit there,
Smiling,
On trial,
Surprise everyone,
Desperate to convey a message.

Human fallibility,
Keep him away from me,
Nothing odd in all this,
Same story,
Others and correctness,
Expectation,
Essence uncovered,
Channel any answers,
Shame to beg.

Constant roar on all sides,
Voices call,
Swearing,
Grind to halt,
Endless line of men running,
Accusations,
Embark and crossing,
Streaming masses,
Vehicles.

Imagination,
The sound of drums,
Fires burning inside,
Stop to warm hands,
Stand alongside peasant,
Say nothing embarrassing.

I am hungry,
Shifting darkness,
If I were strong I’d spare you,
But there’s nothing left,
You will be consumed.

Solemnity and summary,
Execution,
Crowds,
Still and frosty,
Never seen like this,
Can tell by a look,
Things are awry.

Check the guns,
Stocky soldier,
Snapping twigs in the woods,
Funeral pyre,
The companion called up,
I have to disillusion him,
Or we all die tonight.

***

Did you enjoy this poem? Help the author by becoming a patron here: patreon.com/samphillips

Like the author on facebook: facebook.com/sammorganphillips/