work in progress

Clogged up with ash and soot
no room for smoke to blow
all fires burning
rage and ash
that spews onto the hearth
and what stokes this fire?
What starts it at its core?
Below the simple kindling sparked
now is blazing outward


The floor beneath the brick facade
once a pale ecru
tarred and blackened from neglect
of this chimney's flue
and creeping farther and further now
along these empty halls
a heavy sense in heart and chest
lingering to smolder