Fire

1955
I am nine
Christmas is
Over I’m burning
The Xmas tree in the
Back of the yard it
Smells of pine a
Resinous oder
Wrapping
Paper
Kindling
And a piece
Of old rubber hose
Which I accidentally
Touch with my left
Forefinger flesh
Melts scarred
Even now my
Reminder
Fire is a
Tool
Not a
Plaything.