Hearth

the embers light inside

dancing shadows in the night

as they come and go from sight

play with them to hide

another creature in the dark

a dull fire burning up a heart

theatre array about to start

eyes watching flickers of a spark

a last show before the end

light in darkness goes to tend

and when the curtain shall fall

will there be nothing left at all?

bright fire, come to play

in the dark there is the day

let the shadows paint the walls

let the crackle ring the halls

let the winter come and go

let the dying breaths be taken by a show.

(London, 18th December 2025)