Much Like an Ash Cast Off a Fire

I’m working on a side project as I hammer through Driving the Spike, my political literary thriller that won’t be complete until the end of the year. That side project is a bit of this and a bit of that, and mostly a bit of poetry that I’m either a) returning to after 20+ years or b) writing while studying the art of those fine poets of the past…like Dr. Seuss.

Anyway, here’s my Sunday 1/20 inaugural poem. (Get it: 1/20 and inaugural?) Maybe I’ll do this once a week. Maybe not. Haven’t decided.

I’m sure I’ll get about 10 total views because I used the word “Poetry” in the title.

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Much like an ash cast off a fire,
An ember flameless and cold–
It is adrift in the breeze
Destined to be snuffed out,
     Vanishing…

What it once was:
     Warmth to rally against the cold;
     Heat to provide a meal;
     Light to cast away the demons
          in the night
     Shapeless beasts devouring
     Not only flesh, but soul

The ash now formless,
A wisp of grey–
It is no more than a memory
     If memory of
     Warmth, heat and light
     It ever was.

The ash is now gone
Like dreams of youth,
     promises of attainment.