Winter's fire

needle to the record
cracking
popping
the beat of the drum
sticks on cymbals, steady clicks
winter in my breathing
in and out
until it fades for a moment
wanting to do something dangerous
hazardous to my health
take that chance
winter coat
winter coat
the one with the pocket
that's held a memento of the past for years
look at it, return it
the sound of the acoustic guitar
as if God Himself is speaking to me
funny
I never learned to play
and another year is about to go away
I need a thousand voices
a few kindred souls
light the fire
to survive the winter
to survive this life
winter coat
something to behold
keeping me warm through these years
the stories I could tell
sitting by that fire
wherever that fire burns
cracking
popping