by Shari Lawrence Pfleeger
Advertised in the Farmer’s Almanac,
the stainless-steel Burn Cage promises
durable construction, portability,
maximal airflow, thorough
burning, less ash. No more
rusty barrel! Perfect for sensitive
documents, household waste, old
leaves and branches. No more
uncontrolled burn. I want a
portable, personal burn cage, to
safely burn spiteful comments,
memories of unfaithful
lovers. No more
ash in my pockets, acrid smoke,
yellowed stains as frequent
reminders of dread. No more
fiery images stamped on
my retinas. Leaves only
compostable ash, useful
for planting lessons learned,
then growing a life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shari Lawrence Pfleeger is a mathematician and cybersecurity specialist who returned to poetry after several decades’ absence. Her poems, inspired by human, technical and natural interactions, are published in several literary journals, including Thimble Literary Magazine, Green Light Literary Magazine, Blue House Journal and District Lines. An award-winner at several Ripon Poetry Festivals, Pfleeger’s first chapbook, Yorkshire Sonnets, is available here. Pfleeger lives, writes, and rides her bicycle in Washington, DC.