by attending to the fire

by attending to the fire
we mistakenly stomp it out
by trying to put out the fire
we inevitably create more flames

when will we learn
that the thing that was supposed to
take place, will reach right out
of the tree trunk

will grab you so hard
and you will laugh, not knowing
this time the joke is on a distant valley
buttermilk and sassafras moon glow

gardens of wild flowers in gassho bow
benevolence never felt so good as this
sauntering to and fro brook side, moss
growing on the eastern vicinity tapping

a tune, tolerant of tires flattening, &
sharp nails we meet a long the way-
it's only meant to instruct-so sigh, &
celebrate the infinitesimal, without

hedging; hurtling works wonders
when considering in laws labouring
at poolside with upside down drinks,
spilling the gold as quickly as it is spun

wars are won in dreams, &
during auditions when similes
mean everything- nerves rattle
a plain dressed woman

on the verge of getting
yogurt strained for the last time
with apple cider vinegar stepping in
an understudy  can mimic much better

than the leading lady- she is patient,
she is kind--for her turn is in the wings
of the nearest red wing black bird
burnished~prepared for bastille day

taking the glory into the market
filling baskets with goose eggs, fromage
herbs to heal all that ails us
for centuries- not bygone eras

an era, with the spit shine
to let that glow worm
find her way
back to where

all embracing sun weaves patterns
of lace, late lunch for an aria
courting brave bunions, home
from the war of somnolence

a waking roughened ivy
carries some moss to the bat-
we are almost home--such sunny
integrity keeps us on the path

Kate Lamberg