The Flickering Flame

I looked deep within the flickering flame,

Watching the orange and red dance, leap and lick

Heating the bars of the cold metal frame,

Devouring the leaves and broken sticks.

Its flames, like fingers trying to reach high

To gather more things that could be consumed

Meeting only the darkness of the sky

And the stares of three as it popped and fumed.

Thinking of the next day, I sat awake.

My heavy eyes had already grown red

And I knew that I should very soon take

Leave from my friends, and find myself a bed.

But, not moving, I continued to slouch

Staring intently at our glowing torch

From the gentle comfort of that old couch

As shadows danced around us on the porch.

Snow

Do you see the beauty that the snow holds?
Note how it gracefully floats from the sky
And covers all of the earth in a cold
Blanket of the purest sparkling white.
Mark the shrieks and shouts of unbridled glee
From the hearts of excited children
Who looked out their bedroom windows to see
Their dreams come true in the mounds that glisten
Gold in the bright morning sun. With such joy
I used to greet the snow when I was young!
How happier I was as a small boy!
I envy the joy I see in my son,
What he feels and I have long past felt,
Not knowing that it is destined to melt.