Last Mojito, The

Fire

Bart Edelman 79 Fire Caught us unprepared— The sudden backdraft Came without so much As a warning, I’m afraid. How the current of air Penetrated the space we shared Remains a mystery to this day. We almost care to say It was the heat of the moment, The white-hot flame between us, Sparks in the charcoal night That had nowhere to race But straight through our veins. Little good this does us now. Here we stand in shock: Alone, stock-still, together, A foot deep in soot, A mile high in regret, Searching for keepsakes to claim When it all becomes due, Like some date on a calendar We circled to celebrate— But have no idea why. ...