All day he's tasted it.

Last night too.

His eyes burning,

like the city where

smoke still chars the sky.

History will not record

exactly how it was.

Some perhaps will grasp

wisps of the story.

He knows his part.

She looked back.

He yearned to.

You cannot live so long together

and not lean into the other,

longing having grown

like twin trees

Memories,

Not all smoke-nor tears-

but glintings and illuminations

and laughter as well

He offered his daughters.

Brassy offenders, these men

would not take common desserts.

Like most, they desired to rise-

the closest to truth they'd come.

But, how different was the heart

that offered his daughters?

Not all desires acted-

seeking-

the numinous everywhere.

Having to face deserts again,

he turns from his wife-

a salt lick for cattle,

his head a brazier.