The City Burnt Brightly

Raging towers of inferno

Swirled in an ashen night sky.

Trees looked angry as smoke

Bellowed from their fiery crowns.

Buildings crumbled,

Engulfed in columns of fire.

The billowing ash made the moon

Seem cold, blue, and distant.

Scorched earth and hot sand

Burnt the naked soles of my feet.

The city burnt brightly behind me

As I waited for you at the pier.

Panic swept across

The ordinarily serene harbor.

People ran frantically.

Men and women and children

Families, friends, and lovers

Dashed to the nearest boats

To rescue their

Hopes, dreams, and fantasies.

I waited for you at the pier

With nothing else,

But the memories of us together.

As the boats began to fill,

Mad men threw themselves

Into the murky toxic waters

To swim for the distant shore

I watched in wonder and

Lamented their fall, and

I stood there waiting at the pier,

Wondering where you are.

What lengths we go to escape?

Fight the choking hand

Of Fate and Destiny we might.

But there is no relief

From this mortal coil

If you are not here tonight.

All the ships had sailed away

And I still waited for you at the pier

I stood there alone

As the city burned brightly behind me.

You never came,

But I still waited for you at the pier

Hoping you’ll rescue me,

As the flames danced in closer.