The Fire

Anna Wakey29

I had some news today.

The kind of news that sits on the surface

Skimming like oil on water.

Then, when least expected,

A match is dropped

And the oil burns.

 

I watched the fire

Dumbfounded

Knowing all I could do

Was to let it burn out.

 

There is nothing but ashes now.

The oil is gone.

The water is gone.

All that is left is a black, toxic sludge.

I stare

Knowing I need to face it.

Knowing I need to sift through

The ashes

And sludge

And fear

And horror

To find what's underneath.

 

Will anything be left?

Or will I be scorched

Condemned.

  • Author: Anna Wakey29 (Offline Offline)
  • Published: May 21st, 2026 23:07
  • Comment from author about the poem: I went through a very personal trauma and wrote this to work through it (about a year and a half ago now).
  • Category: Reflection
  • Views: 10
Comments +

Comments2

  • sorenbarrett

    A vivid image painted in this poem of metaphor. Nicely done

  • Doggerel Dave

    Good to hear from you again. Has your housing situation improved at all?
    You may have worked through your trauma a year or so ago via this poem, but it leaves me mystified with nothing I can relate to. What happened?

    • Anna Wakey29

      Hey there! Still in the same boat unfortunately, but we have our fingers crossed. We're just on a list waiting for housing but we're in accomodation - it's a little "how long is a piece of string" thing right now. As for the trauma, it's not something I'd like to discuss in the comments section but I'm more than happy to discuss on messages



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