Bonfire (Vicki Thornton)

 
from that first
delicate flame
circling
match
dry twigs
curling over branches
hissing sap
snaps and cracks
as it forces itself upon the dead
then fire surges
snakes over logs
tongues leaves
eager for more
lusting for life
claims all before it
everything within its reach
smoke chalks the sky
embers fly upwards
spiral down in a smoky death
and slowly it consumes
devours until
hot white ash remains
and you search
for more
to burn