From blaze

to smolder and smear:
everything serviceable

as kindling— paper, wood
shavings; promises, lies,
joss sticks, posturing.

The hard become soft,
treasure of coal with its heart
of burning coral. Blown breath

in the cupped half-cove
of darkness, fire in the belly
that must never go out—

In response to an entry from the Morning Porch.