Fire-Bright - The Wishing Tree

Michael draws a face of grief

with brick-clar brush and lime-light green

to trace the lines his grief will grace

and fill the silence in between

red for danger

green for gold

a fire burns precise and coold

painted people fire-bright

will burn in fortune’s flame tonight

Michael paints a face of pain

chalky white and charcoal black

he flexes his sciatic legs

and pumps his knuckles till they crack

red for danger

green for gold

a fire burns precise and coold

painted people fire-bright will burn

in fortune’s flame tonight

but lately as the house grows dim

there’s mocking laughter mocking him

silence when there should be tears

silence every actor fears

michale wears a face of smiles

as he prepares a face to greet

the eyes that see an actor’s eyes

the faces that his face will meet

red for danger

green for gold

a fire burns precise and coold

painted people fire-bright will burn

in fortune’s flame tonight