firefire

Youthful adventure turned searing hot-faced dry throat burning
campfire now field fire smoky eye-burning field fire.
Run from the flames tell the others but hide your name.

Dreary-eyed too-little-slept student
assembles bag and head bent leaves room.
He returns that afternoon to drapes black,
ash on soaked bed
soggy floor wasted sodden papers
and a notice of fire from forgotten candle on the door.

I'm glad to escape the flames and continue life,
but eventually fire may spread to limbs
brief bright immolation pain out with the lights.
I escaped
but death seems always to have me by the nape.