A fire in childhood: A poem 

Roused from sleep and suddenly mother’s shaking voice 

had unfurled a nightmare blowing at the windows 

rattling like a child’s toy, the screams of the panicked 

plagued our ears. Our fears billowing larger than the fire 

that spat at us through charred bits of sawed planks. 

Asbestos flew like shrapnel in the coke-tanged air 

muting the prayers, foggy from sleep, of the fleeing ones. 

Hell came to earth like a swarm and made us feel 

that the wrath of God had finally come upon us. 

Father waited back like a captain struck by storm 

to see the home was fire-resistant, the walls 

plastered with water, the appliances turned off, 

the gas valve safely put to avoid blast. 

Herded like sheep into a hutment, our eyes 

glowed with golden tears, our palms moist 

like soaking river beds. Mother drew us around her 

where we formed a fortress of mutual solace. 

Then the fire-soldiers came and battling 

the spiky flare with their water-swords 

made our home their base till the storms 

like rebellious armies stung off fervour 

began biding to the wishes of their conquerors. 

Aching hearts heavy from banishment 

we traced the walls of our country 

feeling the stones of change in our souls 

God’s word stinging our ears like a slap 

We swore never to repeat our sins or His law 

would find us salted on the roads of Judaea.