sad little boy
looked at the ashes
and poured water
so they could grow green

thoughtful little boy
exulted the flames
and placed the thumb
of an open hand on his chin

love for that brightness
forever remained
memory of its warmth
can never fade

one more word to make
a hundred, and a hundred
more to be at peace

c                                        l
l.                                        a
   i       t         h          e         d
    m                                       d
      b                                         e
                                                   r
         o
           f        h     o     p     e        w
             m                                       i
                e                                        t
                                                            h

r
   a
       i  
           n                                 b                                        
                                                    e
          ­        d                                    a
                  ­    r                                    
                                                                ­                  t
                           o                                   i
                                p                              ­   n
                                     s                                   g
          
                
                     d                      
                         r
                             o
                                 p
                                     s



                                                            ­                   o
                                                               ­       
                                                         ­        n

              t
      h
e

                                 w

      i
                                               n
          
                d
            o
        w

n    
   ­      e      
                   w

                                                         b               c
                                                            o  ­                 r
                                                               ­ r                         y
                                                          n    ­                    s
                                           ­                                          t
                                                               ­               a
                                                ­                        l
                                       ­                        s
          o
        f
                        t
               ­             h
                                e
                ­                                                     n
                                                             i
                                                   g
                                        h
                     ­          t

confused little boy
watched as the flame
so bright and warm
was quelled by a fabric so small

angry little boy
stamped and cried
the flame no longer protecting
him from adult reserved reality