Embers

Embers

by Armando Ortiz

The music stopped

idyllic melodies came to an end.

Her kiss

carved on his mind

left him floating in smoke

the central coast

forever virgin

together camp they broke.

Returning there

always reminds him of the time

they found lost canyons

and saw hidden grandfather trees

but she was looking for true love

and all he knew were magical places.

She thought he was interested in

better things, but all he wanted

was a smile that meshed with the present,

a memento of them

enjoying the simple things of life.

There were sparks,

and fires were lit

she left him sweltering

and now everything is dead

limbs, legs and mind are exhausted

the ground completely burned.

She flew while he scorched,

and the cold winds blew

feeding embers through the night.