The Prompt - Fire

Fire.

Gather round the fire on a chilly winters day.
Warm you hands, your face, your derriere.
Rub your hands together, hold them near the flames.

Toasting forks at the ready, crumpets are impaled.
Keep them moving, keep them turning.
Slowly warming, slowly toasting, ready to be buttered.

Early morning ritual, Dad on his knees at the hearth.
Scraping, brushing out the ashes, pop them in a bucket.
Sooty, messy ashes, dumped in the back yard.

Scratchy strike of match on box, sulphury smell.
Deep inhale, slight cough, best cigarette of the day.
Cupping the precious cargo, safe from wind and rain.

Towering pile of timber, cardboard , pallets, paper.
Excitement building, children jumping about, anticipation growing.
A blueish flash, a crackle in the air, the bonfire starts to glow.

Driftwood gathered on the beach, piled between a circle of stones.
Bottles clinking, laughter and singing, a warm summers night.
Fire building, faces glowing, capturing a moment of teenage madness.