Snakes

Little puck swallows the spark
Nothing happens
At first
Then it does
From flame and smoke
Black-knuckled shadows
Long claw of ash
Rises and curls
Adolescent acolytes witness
Whoop and giggle
Priest-child raises the lighter
Triumphant
Magic was made

-T. Weeks
(A response to the same
4th of July fireworks every year)