Sparks We Knew

Flames tango below a mantle
Where sprites and faeries play
Unscripted in ballet slippers
Unhindered by a stage
A forest fire in a black dress
Dances on sizzling coals
Burns to lyrics in a song
Makes coffee in slippered soles

Conflagration on a dance floor
Hip-huggers fuel the arc
Passionate winds fuel the kindling
There's plenty of wood for that spark
Dancing eyes stir coals inside
A candle won't always discern
You flicker well but what the hell
Some babies never learn

The souls in our ballet slippers
Burn with plantar fasciitis
The sparks we knew within our shoes
No longer ignite us

It's cold here in the morning
Even the coffeemaker froze
The ashes are all iced over
I'm numb down to my toes
Ice on the street just cuts my feet
And causes my sole to bleed
I'm gonna limp over to market
Is there anything you need?

Children skate on rivers
Where we used to write poetry
Where anglers used to cast for rainbows
Now we barbecue memories
Lovers glide together
In a tango on the ice
Hip-huggers on a dance floor
Fire dancing in your eyes

The souls in our ballet slippers
Burn with plantar fasciitis
The sparks we knew within our shoes
No longer ignite us

 © John Kennan 3-14-21