we havent got any wood left
so the fire will have to die down
it will still last an hour or more
it will pass good cooking stage on the way
so we can finally use those hot dogs
and maybe even pop some pop corn
in a pot with some butter.
it will sound like a maraca on its side.
shake it before it pops.

pop pop pop steam leaking through
the space between the lid and the pot
mixing with the smoke being sucked
through the flue out the chimney
gathering with smoke from neighboring
houses and pop corn pots in the valley
making curls and sweeps breaking
the temperature difference space
that separates and creates a blanket
mixed with clouds to keep
the ground from freezing
just a little longer.