Orange Cotton Flames


 Clouds explode
into orange cotton flames
burning the evening sky
into a science fiction poster.

Watching the light display
he thought about Sunday school color book
pages of fire and brimstone.

Was it faith or fear that kept
him glued to the pew when he was ten?

He looked at his watch and wondered
if God had Armageddon penciled in on the calendar.

With one last gulp of coffee dinner was over.
Crumbling the questions into his napkin
he tossed them in the trash and went back to work.


©Susie Clevenger 2012
Real Toads Open Link Monday

Comments

Ben Ditty said…
Your words evoke emotion and ring so true. Thank you, Susie :-)
Susie.... what terrific tension and such startling metaphors. starkly modern with a hint of philosophy. Puts me in mind of midnight December 21st 2012.
Sayantini said…
Keep it up Susie. It's amazing:)
Daydreamertoo said…
Real Life ... as we know it. Dealing with Armageddon will have to wait, there's more important things to have to deal with, like work. So true. lol
Really enjoyed this.
Sreeja said…
This is a very creative and beautiful work....this is so good...every line...
Cad said…
Science fiction and Armageddon go so well together! LOL
Kerry O'Connor said…
Such a moment of theological concern, then back to work. You captured a whole lifetime of wonder and doubt in one scene, Susie.
Tanya Sehgal said…
An exquisite piece of poetry. :) Really enjoyed reading it :)
Unknown said…
I tell you, Susie, this kind of introspection and examination of spiritual matters seems the only way to truly get it right.
Herotomost said…
Oh Yeah baby...this may be one of my favorite of yours. That opening stanza was briliant and bright and so visual. So very good, I loved it.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I can see it all, especially the flames - lots of forest fires are burning up here right now.
Timoteo said…
The less we think of such things, the more work we will get done. Nice job of putting things into a real world perspective!
Scarlet said…
There are some questions that we will never get answers...then back to work~ Nice one Susie ~
Unknown said…
I can only pray when I think of those things...:)
Marian said…
wow. wow. this took me by surprise several times. the conclusion is rather devastating. i keep reading it "i wondered if God had Armageddon-penciled it on the calendar." which i realize is not what you wrote, but i rather like it, that God (or anyone) would Armageddon-pencil something. wow.
Margaret said…
...my previous comment was meant for another poem... :) delete it if you can.

Was it faith or fear that kept
him glued to the pew when he was ten?

He looked at his watch and wondered
if God had Armageddon penciled in on the calendar.

That just sent chills through me it is so so good!
Laura said…
so many wonderful lines here Susie...I think the last one is my favorite though.