the Fires

soul driven machines
that wander plains of this

the madness in physical
formats and guidelines

the destitute of skin
stretched calcium screens

behind which the fires
seer and boil and stir

within dust of long ago
beacons in celestial dark

tiny whirling fires these
threads of matter casings

so eager to revel in
their constant orgies

for wings to fly
and tadpoles grow

for brains to discern
be it a friend or foe

for wind to sweep
lacy flakes of snow

for boulders to stand
while nearby rivers flow

layered the fires
throughout and deep within

of metal and stone
and earth and tar

of scratch and bruise
and harm and scar

of serfs and merchants
and nobles and czars

of moons and comets
and planets and stars

a mandala of matter
in bud and bloom to fade

flowing from wounds
to ignite once again

same fires are these that
have chosen new lanterns