The Fire

Tendrils of smoke

Twisting up through the chimney 

A hidden message

For what awaits

A three year old

Prancing in a new dress

Giggling as she skips down the hall

Cries of

"Daddy!"

Fill the air 

As she flaunts her tiny body

In that big dress

Belly laughs and head shakes 

Follow in her wake 

As she passes under the white machine

With a suddenness 

Swift like a dolphin diving under the waves

A high pitched chirp

From the white machine

Her body jumps

Loud noises scare her

She screams and cries as she is scooped up by her father

The white machine on the ceiling still shipping away

Warm body holds her close

Running through the house

Checking every nook and cranny

For the cause of this noise

A small body wracked with shivers

A large hand reaching for the handle

A basement door opened

An image tightened in quality

Orange and red flames

Reaching hands out from the depths of the underground room

Eyes wide

A phone call made

A cry for help

A siren sounded

Flames extinguished

Set by a man who liked to watch things burn

Who crept through the basement of the giggling child's house

And lit a match

The little girl

Forever afraid.