Fire

a poem by Roger B Rueda

I saw a big flash and a huge ball
of fire reaching hundreds
of feet into the sky.
You brought home
the huge ball glowing
with heat.
You kicked it hard –
a fire burned the drape
out of control.
Then the ceiling,
the lizard got a jump
on the blaze on tenterhooks.
The flies buzzed
gallingly.
There was a moment
of panic –
some were shivering with fear.
You gave a wry smile.
The fire swept
across portions
of the house.
Tempers flared
and harsh words were exchanged.
You glared at us
as if we were torchers,
as if we vented our anger
by carrying out arson attacks.
Were you oblivious?
You should have felt
a flicker of regret.
Pray that our landlord
would judge you with compassion.
There was a terrible smell of burning.