An autumn bonfire exposè Empathy revealed in an ocherous glow Screams in flickers, smoke sting tears The porous spirit of a blank faced man Like automatic sponge, unmoved by will Trapping the dirt of the world Clogging the garden where flowers should grow The memory of a thousand prisoners Caged in internal wildfire Mourning of a warm summer wasted Looping char, eternal choke But like an oxygen starved inferno Life can change in an instant... Droplets of life fall from the sky Kissing the light, teasing On the other side of the flames A scarlet haired phantom sings change with a glance A gentle smile to ease the burns Compelled to heal, she sees her patient Rubies and emeralds glisten with promise A future blooms in ashes The heavens answer with a downpour And comforting darkness expands its reach Before the last bit of light is washed away A hand is held And the night isn't cold any more.