the only fire that inflames me now
crackles constantly your name
white hot and furious over the ashes
of your unwritten melody
and my unwanted soul
the only air flowing thru me now
tastes bitter and smoky
colored in resins i've never learned
in pigments past understanding
you say i may not see you now
though i still hear you when you sigh
you declare there's no love there
but ashes swept aside.
douglas brent smith