The orange fire sprawls into the air,
compassionately and gracefully.
As it blows into it slowly.
It is very dark, very very dark tonight.
I can see
The fire shining through my body
Stretching a shadow to the curved wall
Here is Mama lying down next to me
The fire is so hot it burns the plastered floor
Freshly plastered cow dung floods my nose,
In ruthless Nostalgia.
Wet, grey clay stuffed into her cold nostrils
I rue the day she gave birth to such a monster
If not
Her fire would still burn in power and health
Her beratings are long gone.
Only the scars are left.
Too late