How to Build a Fire

First ask yourself Why fire
in the twenty-first century Is it serving
some primal need drawing you closer
to the earth to what you think of
as God to what you think of
as ancestors as if you know anything
about ancestors Ask yourself
what you need for kindling and flame
Do you empty your son’s pockets
for stones for one you can spark
against another Do you saw
a stick against its brother Do you see
God when you tilt a shard of mirror
above a nest of your shorn hair