kindling

in the forest
we walk soundly
searching for dry
kindling

and hoping our arms will
be burdened
to build the evening's
fire

with twigs and branches
saplings' cast offs
brown and grey and beige

you found most
and i had little
even though neither lot
was heavy

now on home to start
the warm

and my face fresh
and ruddy with the cold
and you
warm hands
cold nose

i sit
and watch you lay the fire
spark the match
and smoke grows
slowly into flame
and now to just enjoy
the light the heat
the time
alone
the embers glow
and us
asleep