Furnace

A Poem by Stephanie W.

In Athens
lung inflammation
is becoming rampant

Before WWII
their forests grew thick
with trees

now

Their fireplaces are
no longer for
decoration

The poorest among
them have begun to burn
their furniture

The paint
smell wafts
into adjacent
neighborhoods

Stella and Andreas
(in thick wool sweaters)
fan the flames

Fog so thick
they cannot see
the windows from an
old door burning before
them.