Watching the Fire

by Kathryn Boehnke





I know about the burnings.

The way the smoke fills the lungs

The way fire cooks flesh.

The agony the screaming

The way the executioners prolong it

To make the town just a few more cents.

I know the way no one cares

As long as they get to watch a good show.

I know about wishing it would end

And I know about the desire to hide and lie

So that it doesn’t happen again

And clinging to a hope you are never found

Even as your friends and family scream out

About the secret joy that at least

It is not you up on the pyre

And the guilt of the relief as

The procession passes by.





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