After Joan Sauro
When I am fire, I cannot easily go home
to take the chicken from the freezer
and open a can of olives.
When I am fire, the other cars slow down
and point at the flames pushing out my windows.
She’s divorced they say.
And you? When you are fire,
where is the dark but inside you somewhere
afraid of loneliness?
When you are fire, you are beautiful.
As much because I like you
as because of the fine blaze of your lips.
When I am fire, it isn’t easy to separate
the heat from the inquiring air.
Distance flares up all along the Spokane River.