Estate of Flames

Tick! Tock! Waiting Tick! Tock! Stop. Click, crack, click, crack The flame is snapping in the hearth It burns my portrait from its edge Click, crack, click, crack The flame will show you what endures Crash! The aged wooden clock ignites The flame can tell you what is yours Smash! The chimney buckles from the stress The flame then spreads throughout the den In awe I reach out for my pen And I record the sight, but then My portrait laughs; the clock tolls ten And I am never seen again