BURNING LEAVES

Mesmerized by the roaring flames
from the pit and pile of sparking arcs
as black walnut tree leaves caught fire
and withered to smoke and ash
while the breeze cast a sooty fog
over my clothes and our large yard.
A private and small fireworks show:
Embers burst in midair singeing
my eyebrows and dirty blond hair
burning holes in my sweatshirt
as rotten logs smoldered into charcoal.
A neighbor girl's voice called out
from an open window some where
"Why don't you jump in!"
And there I was, welcomed,
to our new neighborhood,
the long lot and black walnut trees
towering over the patches of grass
and the oversized brick garage
and the ruinous chicken coop blocks
In the distance beyond the sound of the fire
Dad paced off placement of Soho Loft
His pigeon coop and sanctuary.

- By Anthony Buccino
adapted from SIXTEEN INCHES ON CENTER

Copyright © 2010 by Anthony Buccino, all rights reserved. Photos and content may not be used for commercial purposes without written permission.