The Chimney

Deep in the woods... beside a well-worn trail A lone fireplace stands… in solitude, abandoned Upon a bare foundation... the dwelling long absent No signs or markers or plaques... no history What happened to the cottage here… when, how, why Did a family move on… to seek a brighter future Did nature take its toll... wind or flood or wildfire Or a more insidious ruin... destruction from within This chimney... drawing all close to its hearth Giving light and warmth… nurture… love Did this furnace... with sacred duty to hold the fire To keep the blaze contained… let the flame escape How did one ember... pass all boundaries And bring such affliction... after many steadfast years Yet why was the cottage so dry... so prone to combustion No tending of the fire… no water to douse the flare I want to know… to understand… to blame Was the chimney at fault… negligent… or not But what does it matter now… the damage is done Time scattered the ashes… the ruins cleared long ago Except for the fireplace... it still stands An empty hearth… where fire once burned A hollow chimney… where smoke once rose Still having the form but no function… impotent A relic to what was... but is no more Left to gaze from now on... upon this tragedy A chimney stands alone here… in shame Lonely in this place... just like me