Smoke Signals

as the fire crept closer
I watched you
in the fire, flickering
in an ember as it spun through turgid air
on the hunched grass, white with age
I waited for the heat, the fervor
to whisper my song
beneath your dew-dropped eyelids
I wandered, lonely
along the spine of a tear
written by starlight, trembling
as the reply of the smoke
unraveled the flames
I willed you to see me
in the frigid howl of the moon
in a wisp that traced, softly
over indelible signs in the glint of your fire-lit hair
I wove my ode
as the fire crept closer