Around The Fire

We sit around the fire- me and my sister;

We put our hands forth

And through our wiggling fingers,

The grey smoke rises.

Winter on my back,

Summer heat on my palms,

And my sister sitting across-

What better joy can I wish for?

My father is not with us though-

He is somewhere deep in the forest

Guarding the night with a lantern in his hand;

I hope it gives him at least

Half the warmth that graces my skin.

A breeze visits us in waves

And the flames dance to the slow rhythm

While we cast our shadows

On the soil where we live

My sister looks from across

With a gleam in her eyes and 

Speaks of our mother in soft whispers;

Though I remember less of her,

I hope this smoke rises beyond the skies

And reaches her.