THE EVE

The fire is my guest today.Crackling, speaking a language only I can understand. 2 saimin fill my bowl, along with 2 eggs and a small piece of cheese. An apple waits 'til later. Absent are the youthful dreams of love , stability, and peace. Only the embers remain of what once was a fiery youth. No calls from parents, they have died. The tear ducts have dried long ago, nothing streaks down my cheeks. An occasional heaving of my chest, that's all that I have left.
Outside the wind blows cold, hard rain. The feeding of the fire keeps reminding me that soon, like it, the spirit of my life will be dying coals then ash. The phone is silent. I look down the driveway hearing the sound of a car, hoping it's a friend. Not to be. Not today. While others gather joyfully, celebrating, and giving, smiling and laughing, I converse with the fire, it's embers crackling. I seek not your pity , for I have shelter, food, and wood to cut.
Soon the sun will set.