Guarding the Fire

The wind throws snow at the window
The frost furs over the pane
The hired girl clumps through the cold kitchen
And lights a fire in the range.

She watches the flame swell outward
On wings of kerosene
She leans on the stove and watches
Her thoughts flow past in a dream.

She feels the warmth over her body
Like the stroke of her lover’s hands
And the light on her face winks rosily
From the flame and her heart’s desire.

But the housewife late to the kitchen
Is shocked by no coffee in sight
No eggs sizzling hot in the skillet
And her words are impatient and sharp.

She shakes down the ashes with vengeance
The hired girl stirs in despair
At finding that time had betrayed her
While her dream lover was true.

When the breakfast dishes are heating
Both women guard the warm fire
The housewife’s eyes on the damper
The girl’s soft eyes full of fate.

They stand in silence together
Each feeding the thought of the flame
While the wind throws snow on the window
And the frost furs over the pane.