Catching Fire

The fire-eater and twirler
had the beach crowd glued
until a few boys lit 
fireworks that exploded 
shimmering over everybody.  

Nothing could divert 
the crowd faster
than fireworks 
booming and sprinkling 
over earth. I did not 

try to read a poem
about passion bursting
like a geyser. 
I did not
have a microphone, 

or audience,
or fireworks.