tonight
while watching
the fireworks
across the bay
by the pier
i had a terrible
vision
that
like the similarity
between
city lights and fireworks
your hand
in the dark touched
my hand
a simple assuring gesture
as though answering
an important question
i had just thought
but had not thought to ask
*
the surprise
of the boom and crackle
and the shapeful colours
is kilometres distant
and hours gone
where i flicked a match
after lighting a cigarette
*
and now
i am burning up
holding
this candle
this terrible vision
flickering
while watching
the fireworks
across the bay
by the pier
i had a terrible
vision
that
like the similarity
between
city lights and fireworks
your hand
in the dark touched
my hand
a simple assuring gesture
as though answering
an important question
i had just thought
but had not thought to ask
*
the surprise
of the boom and crackle
and the shapeful colours
is kilometres distant
and hours gone
where i flicked a match
after lighting a cigarette
*
and now
i am burning up
holding
this candle
this terrible vision
flickering