The Fire Poem by Steve Downes

Silhouettes against a kaleidoscope
fast-motion dancers on the stage floor
the DJ spins another web of indecipherable drivel
and the hunt begins again
another great exhibition of sexual instincts –
animalistic – boys and girls
all hues – peacocks in Ben Sherman shirts
all persuasions – no barriers
playing ‘catch me’ the game of youth
and in the corners
dark shadowed asides
lovers and loners and
regretters sipping vodka and wondering where the
time went

I sip my vodka
and eye the exit measuring my time to leave by the
level of my glass
unexpectedly a spark
a flame that has not glowed for decade
almost forgotten – turned to ash
her eyes are fixed on me
how long without approaching
we stare across the madness – hearts thumping with
old excitements
teenage kicks and kisses remembered
tasted
enacted in the fire
her head turns
of course there would be another
how many did it take to forget me?
after all
a dozen lovers I mistreated to bury her
she smiles
I reciprocate and understand
you can’t burn the same fuel twice
not even if we wanted to
she falls away from view
into the silhouettes

I think I’ll order another vodka
and dance