extinguishing the ring of fire – a first draft by annelies zijderveld
the evening sky glowers,
seeing your shivering hand
gripping mine. it covers us,
blanket of fleece flocking down
above, you in your white sheets,
white bed, silver clasps your night-
time story, nightmare turned real.
white walls thin as paper, rowdy
voices fighting to be your bedtime
lullaby, no white noise here but
the evening sky simmers into pale
lilacs, burning off the heat of day,
cool droplets of mist slowly falling,
extinguishing this ring of fire.