Burned

barking dog. tail still wagging. suffocating hen. fussing on its nest. silly songs sing themselves in her head. stabs of laughter much sharper than she was prepared to endure. he's lonely she assumes. by his reluctance to ask if she is.

the paper is nothing. the creases even less. the stories are told in lines and smudges. a stubborn virus. a simple sickness. a hollow world blinding with brightness. a grief heavy with want. blind thieves. swinging twigs at mountains.

moist kindling. heavy rocks. the fire finds a way to happen. the shadows are dissected. And the stronger embers ignite.

an abundance of bridges. hastens the journey. a shortage of places leaves her stranded.