in shadows. A tiny glow
brightens the night. She moves closer
for warmth. Orange
dances in her gray
eyes. Flames leap,
draw her closer. She stands
with her toes on the fire
pit, flames making her skin itch.
Kindling is eaten
by a ravenous appetite.
Sparks pop.
A sharp wind blows,
extinguishes the bonfire’s flames
to sparks,
to ash
until night is again overtaken
with black, with cold.
She used to play
with fire.
Now she plays with smoke.
Author Bio:
Dawn Schout’s poetry has appeared in more than 50 national and international publications, including Dagda Publishing, Poetry Quarterly, Red River Review, and Tipton Poetry Journal. She was nominated for Best of the Net in 2013. Her debut poetry collection, Wanderlust, will be published in January 2015 by WordTech Editions.