#401 The Flames Flickered Poem by Jimmie Arrington

We came upon a river's shore,
Whose water was fierce and deep.
We had never been here before
And never seen banks so steep.

We couldn't simply step across,
We'd build a bridge together.
There'd be more gain than there would loss
And no more storms to weather.

You firmly held the planks in place
As I hammered nails away.
Doubt and sweat showed upon my face,
While yours showed regret, dismay.

At length our daunting task was done,
The bridge was sturdy and prime.
Soon the glow of the setting sun
Lit our faces one last time.

I crossed the bridge of our friendship;
On separate shores without a sound
Each drew a match and struck the tip,
Then we threw them to the ground.

Without a smile, without a frown
The flames flickered in our eyes.
We burnt the bridge between us down
Without saying our goodbyes.