Ash and Smoke

Flashes of memories churn to flame and ash.

Glass shatters in the blaze as someone screams,

Beaten from the combustion blue within.

Passing train narrowly misses a sister I wrenched away,

Skips a pedestrian,

But seizes a friend, never to be seen again.

I am a stranded bystander witnessing

Transfer from burn to hospital

Scrape to hospital

Slash to hospital.

Then an invitation into the blaze

Follows love still foreign left in a haze.

My demons put out the flame into smolders,

My face and throat enveloped and severed by 

Billowing ash and smoke.

From spark to smolder,

I’m left whispering screams.