In the darkness br and in the stillness of the morning br I have a hollow thought br that comes without warning br br Should I go on br or should I not br This life of struggle br now half heartedly fought br br Sleeplessly I kept the coal fire burning br torn between fear and fascination br That the stove of necessity treatened br either heat or home incineration br br With door open I gazed inside br and felt the burning warmth upon my face br lured into the hot orange fire br blue flames dance and each other chase br br Coal was made just to burn br what other purpose does it fill br And what purpose do I have I wonder br and not knowing I again feel ill br br So I heat a pot of water upon the stove br and watch it begin to boil br and brew a cup of tea br as my mind burns its midnight oil br br I feel the lure of the fire br and watch it from my chair br and at its random dancing br I stare and lose my care br br Whatever was my reason br isn't anywhere br Its just a staying warm tonight br thoughts now lost like dreams in the coal's burning glare br br 2008 © James T. Adairbr br JAMES T.