He Who Wanders

Cinders swim
In the summer breeze
Like gold coins
Through my fingers. Smoke
Beckons with silver plumes.
I follow.

Its scent is strong
With oak and cherry,
And kisses my lips
Hello, goodbye.
I follow.

All around
The wreckage plays
A symphony
Of crackles and snaps.
And the timber sings
A friend’s sweet elegy.
I follow.

The world glows
Within the hot embrace
Of orange and scarlet.
I surrender.

Flames enclose me.
All is ash.