Incense

One small pause

In my weekend

Its entirety spent

Intensely honed in on

absorbing important material

For my impending exam

Blissfully alone

(A rare occurrence)

I lit a small stick

Of palo santo

For the simple pleasure

Of its soothing aroma

My focus was excellent

Too good, in fact

A wee bit o’ tinder

Caught fire

(But not my attention)

Thick, black smoke

Crept its way

Across my ceiling

Until the alarm

Rattled my eardrums

Bashir the dog

Soberly observed

Physical comedy in action

Flailing a foam butt cushion

I fanned the hall detector

While Bash judged me

With mournful eyes

Unbeknownst to me

Alarm company dispatched

The fire department

Sunday at 1pm

Sirens blaring in the distance

My horror at the thought

Every nosy neighbour

In rapt attendance

Cannot be understated

Who calls 911

To send AWAY a fire engine?

(Me, of course)

Desperately begging the operator

Not to let them come

Frantic texts to next door

DO NOT GO MAKE ME

BEAR THIS ALONE

As they drove slowly

Along my street

Mercifully silent

I have never

Been so glad

To dodge

Six attractive men

In uniform

😂