Bonfire Night Part One

The square, white house towers over the back garden

It's long shadow pierced by the electric light from the kitchen window

It is crisp and cold - dark and dry

It is seven o clock 

Gloves on - duffle coat on

Mum fusses - fastens the neck too high - too tight

Tim and I follow Dad into the garden

Dad lights a sparkler

I feel it sizzle and fizz as I hold it aloft

The smell of sulphur mingles with the aroma

Of potatoes, toffee and wood smoke

The show commences with a bang

And a shower of multicoloured sparks.

We form a little group, Tim, Mum Nan and me

and Dad a little apart on lighting duty

In his green, paint spattered overalls 

We crane our necks to the dark, expectant sky.

With a whoosh and a bang Leicester launches it's rockets

Showers of rainbow sparks rain down on houses and gardens

We gape - mesmerised by the dazzling display

But all too soon the Catherine wheel

Spins the spectacle to a close

Then it's back to the house for jacket potatoes

And sticky, toffee apples

While the bonfire slowly fades

Flames to embers - embers to ash

Ash - ashes 

And bonfire night returns to smoke.