challenge no. 1

every garment was riddled by the holes burnt by flying sparks.

the fireflies danced in their weary eyes even though they were sleeping,

reddened by smoke

they awoke

& saw dazzling snow

every face was smeared with blood

and every belly was full

but by that evening the desperate hunger had

returned and another to go

and so they drank to it

and did not cease until

they were satisfied

and like from an opium haze

they saw they saw the next day's light all twisted &

red

which upset them, as it reminded them.

unspoken, one by one,

of their crime.