Burning, burning red spits in to the black of the air
swirling orange tendrils join it there
spears of amber shudder up from the depths of the barks
electric light, retracting –
from the constellations of the stars.
Owls watch from the tree tops
this is the time, to glance up, to watch
see the embers stretch out, consumed by the black of night
disappearing into the absence of daylight.
I will ask you to hold me tight
the fire warming our cheeks
my palms cold.
Place your arms around me
we are young
when we age, older
having been bold.
We will be colder
drawing me into your side
growing together, changing like the stars of the skies
the same garden, bark from our trees
different shades of embers, escaping, free
our souls still moving, reverberating in the shadows of the leaves
you are one
you are with me.
– Victoria Simms