Arson

Minutes ago death

Blazing mother and father

Naked branches against the sky

Screams and flames

Thornapple tree quivering in agony

Black night sky cover

No stars nor moon

Blanketing the soul

Small boy in the driveway standing

Madness rages in his left eye

The flames flicker

As he watches nothing

nothing

In the blackness of his pupils

Laughter and madness

Bouncing off the walls of his mind

Screaming across the sky

The house recedes glowing

Little boy closes his eyes

Drools

Smiles

Christopher J. Cramer

June 18, 1982