the fire
my tools arrayed within my forge, I light the fire
my thoughts from pen to page have strayed despite the fire
your ardor cooled, blocked, damped my breath; desire gutters -
only embers have I left to ignite the fire
your smile flint-grounded dressed stone ramparts gleaming bright
so steel me with your strike and we shall light the fire
all around is ash burnt grey and sere, nothing stirs
bare and wasted are the grounds where you fight the fire
depart from me and go into lands unknowing
return, my pillars stand by day; at night the fire
without your breath against my ear no thought may stir
the candle snuffed within the jar that blights the fire
alone a watch I keep above a sea of green
alarm bells shall I strike if I can sight the fire
with wine-dark dreams the sun recedes at eventide
so we in darkness can bring forth delight: the fire
the moon fae-touched in mourning dimness shall retire
so her countenance Niamh shall take - and bright, the fire.