I smell the fire
before I see it, memory
captured in burning hair
once calmly collected
metal bodies spit-slick
cocoon their makers,
encasing these flesh forms
once alone, together
two columns of smoke waltz
in the horizon’s eye
a red gleam, watery
now, winking knowingly
on the highway the sky
is lazy like taffy
unwinding from itself
in the afternoon haze
there, as I pass the fire
faces wink together
blurred bodies twist bodies
dance in melted confusion
I see a glossy cheek
of course red, of course soft
(what is there to be done
in this skinless instant)
