“Late Waiting,” Ensign, July 1977, 59
Late Waiting
It’s good they know about fire,
how to build one
by laying kindling across the paper
rolled and wrung
in the base of the stove or pit;
how to put on
coal, large or small, to fit
the burning time;
how to control the smoke and size
of the flame
by adding
fuel or damping;
how to temper
its end
with caustic
or time;
the caution to give to
smoldering;
how to throw out ashes.
They’ve known since they were children
begging to strike
the match.
There’s no tending now the fires
they build
and light.
Only the hope that they know
how and when and whether
to stir
to keep the fire
in its place.