sparks

my appreciation for the little things

I like wood matches. 

I enjoy the way they 

burn

smoke

and fizzle. 

the way they bend,

warped liked so many

wax figures

left on windowsills

or on furniture

older than I am. 

Their charm 

and smell

make me smile. 

Like opening 

an ancient text,

old paper and dust,

the history

filling your lungs,

the many ways 

to ignite the soul. 

Reviews

[Frank]

This is surprisingly pleasant, an insignificant act of lighting a match and you wrote a poem about it! And yet, I remember a time when a small boy (I have not changed my gender) when I loved lighting matches, so much so I was dangerous. Exactly as you describe and I am ashamed to say I even loved the taste of them. I loved the crunchiness, and there was a sharp taste that mellowed in your mouth and I wanted more.
As I grew older, I limited how many I would taste but the act itself, the striking of a match I never really got over until I gave up smoking. I also went through a period of lighting the whole box of matches, I used to enjoy that, I think its the power. Maybe that's why small boys burn down so many things these days. I then gravitated to lighting small containers of petrol and almost set fire to my Dad's car once, he was quite annoyed with me, he was fond of that car.
Its so strange your poem has made me think of all these weird things I used to do with matches. I also loved reading the box, some of the old boxes had some good designs, but I cannot remember the logos.
You have heartened me to write more about the mundane, not that your poem is mundane.
Well done.

[Brandon Wesley Mckay]

Thank you! what a beautifully thoughtful and thought provoking review. I admit, I have always thought of fire as man's first television set. Even now, with all the technology in the world, if you start a bonfire one will catch themselves staring into it, forgetting their sense of time. Funny thing, that. Something about the flame, the spark, the ember......the quick change of chemical constitution. Creation and destruction in a tiny place......I never lit a car on fire. But when I was very young, some friends and I set fire to a pile of golden books. It seems appalling now, but it was good fun at the time.

I'm glad this may have inspired you to write more. I hope it goes well for you. send me a read request. I'd be happy to read your work.

[Tinotenda Nyevedzanai]

I love this it's perfect, very warming the flow is beautiful and the imagery is lovely well done

[Brandon Wesley Mckay]

Thanks again :) this one is, fortunately, a newer one, and was written to offset some negative stuff in my little head. Short and sweet.

[closed]

great elaboration
and some colorful imagery

[Brandon Wesley Mckay]

Thank you very much.

[closed]

youre very much welcome
it was good

[Captain Rilen]

I understand, looking at the little details of the world can be beautiful. Sometimes I just sit outside to watch the grass flow in the wind, every little movement and factor of the world influencing what I'm witnessing. It reminds me of that the fact that little moments and fragments of life are being experienced all across the globe! Truly wonderful.

[Brandon Wesley Mckay]

breaks my heart on occasion to think that we often forget that those wee details are often forgotten due to the busy busy hum drum of the daily thing. Thank you for reading.