Burned Into Memory

Whenever I smell the sweet aromas made by a log fire, I recollect past times of great desire. The crackling of the wood, the heat it produces, Only more and more memories induces. There was a time in college that I spent a Summer outdoors, Each night, around a campfire, with a dozen others. We sang and laughed and enjoyed life you see, Mostly, we enjoyed each others' company. Oh, we cooked our hot dogs and burgers too, But when the guitars came out, we knew what to do. We sang our songs of the joys of life, Few of us felt then the pangs of strife. Things turned that Summer, at least for me... My father died rather suddenly. I remember the call I got with the news, The fire, that night, had different hues. The coals that burned and sparks that flew, Foretold of a life...different and new. As I grow older and by some chance, Smell wood burning in a fireplace by happenstance. I recall that Summer when my world changed You might say, my life was "rearranged". When I hear the hiss of embers that die, I think back to a time when I asked, "Why"? Yet, it is still the happy moments of that Summer I miss, With the sweet aroma of a wood fire, and its burning hiss. For I would not trade that Summer you see, It has a special place, here in my memory. And once in a while I go back to that spot, Where I was young, with passions so hot. The sound and smells of a campfire remind me... Those times are "burned" in my memory.